If you’ve gotten your hands on an Apple iPhone SE and are looking to get an upgrade of the device next year, that might not happen. At least according to a new research report from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The reason is Apple might want to keep its margins high by subtly encouraging users to upgrade to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, which are considered more margin-friendly devices.
Kuo predicts that total shipment volume of iPhones will decline in the first half of 2017 due to “tepid demand in China, slow shipment volume of 4.7-inch iPhones, and lack of an iPhone SE refresh in the second quarter of the year.” This year’s first half shipment is higher because of an “upbeat demand for the iPhone SE.” According to Kuo, Apple might exert pressure on its component makers to drop prices to help maintain its margins and price reductions on the components could happen November or December of this year.
Source: BGR