Apple's September 9th event promises an "awe-dropping" reveal of the iPhone 17 lineup, but not everyone is convinced. Industry analyst Daniel Newman, CEO of Futurum Group, voiced his disappointment on X (formerly Twitter), expressing concern over a perceived lack of groundbreaking innovation. He specifically criticized the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, suggesting that Apple is relying too heavily on iterative upgrades rather than truly disruptive technology.
The event, held at Apple's Steve Jobs Theater, will be livestreamed globally. While excitement surrounds the launch, Newman's comments highlight a growing sentiment among some analysts and investors. The anticipated iPhone 17 models, including the potentially ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air (rumored to replace the Plus model), are expected to feature incremental improvements such as new color options (like purple and green), enhanced camera systems, and refined design aesthetics. Pricing is projected to start at $800 for the base model, escalating to $1,050 for the Pro and $1,250 for the Pro Max.
The absence of a widely rumored foldable iPhone this year further fuels the "lack of innovation" narrative. Although Apple is also expected to showcase updates to the Apple Watch series and AirPods Pro 3, the focus remains firmly on the iPhone. This could lead to a "sell-the-news" scenario if the unveiled features fail to impress investors seeking more substantial advancements.
This skepticism isn't isolated to Newman. Other analysts, including Gene Munster of Deepwater Asset Management and Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities, have previously voiced concerns about Apple's AI strategy, highlighting a perceived slow pace compared to competitors like Google and Microsoft. While Apple remains a dominant force in consumer tech with over 2.4 billion iOS devices in circulation, the pressure to deliver significant innovation is mounting, particularly in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Apple's year-to-date stock performance reflects this pressure, showing a slight decline despite a positive 12-month trend. The upcoming event will be crucial in determining whether Apple can reignite investor enthusiasm and silence the critics.
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Originally published at: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/apples-upcoming-awe-dropping-event-183059932.html
