Market Reception Mixed for Apple's Pioneer AI Smartphone
3 April 2025 路 Uncategorized 路
Source: 路 https://www.cnr.cn/tech/techxp/20240911/t20240911_526898431.shtml
On September 9th local time, Apple released the iPhone16 series as its first smartphone equipped with AI functions. However, market reactions have been lukewarm. Analysts believe that while Apple is not particularly outstanding in applying AI technology and lacks innovative highlights, coupled with an unscheduled upgrade cycle, iPhones and related products may struggle to significantly boost future company performance.
Unlike previous releases which focused on improvements such as camera quality, chip specifications, and design aesthetics, the new iPhone's AI functionality has become a market focus. The application of Apple Intelligence in these devices will launch first in the US this October before expanding into English-speaking markets including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK by December, with plans to roll out further to China, France, Japan, Spain next year.
According to a report cited by The Nikkei from IDC (International Data Corporation), generative AI phones are expected to ignite market interest. It predicts that smartphone shipments will see an increase in 2024 for the first time since two years ago, with around 18% of these being generative AI smartphones. Apple is attempting a turnaround through its new phone release despite entering this field later than competitors.
However, industry insiders are not optimistic about Apple's path forward regarding AI technology. Firstly, there may be regional imbalances in the application scope of Apple Intelligence; due to regulatory constraints within Europe鈥檚 EU region, it might face delays compared with other regions like China where collaboration prospects between Apple and local generative-AI developers remain unclear.
Secondly, concerning investment and cooperation on AI technologies, Apple's pace is somewhat slower. The Wall Street Journal reports that the demand for iPhones enhanced by AI will serve as a litmus test of market interest in this technology. Competitors have invested heavily into developing models capable of interacting with users through chat or other means akin to human behavior, creating content and generating images/animations. However, many companies' profitability remains uncertain; investors are more cautious about spending on AI compared to earlier parts of the year.
Lastly, a slower cycle for upgrading phones introduces uncertainty regarding iPhone sales growth. According to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), carriers play an enormous role in new smartphone purchases within the US market where they account for about three-quarters of all new iPhones sold there annually. Although upgrade incentives still exist, some iPhone users have delayed upgrades over recent years due to less significant design innovations or added features with each generation.
Unlike previous releases which focused on improvements such as camera quality, chip specifications, and design aesthetics, the new iPhone's AI functionality has become a market focus. The application of Apple Intelligence in these devices will launch first in the US this October before expanding into English-speaking markets including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK by December, with plans to roll out further to China, France, Japan, Spain next year.
According to a report cited by The Nikkei from IDC (International Data Corporation), generative AI phones are expected to ignite market interest. It predicts that smartphone shipments will see an increase in 2024 for the first time since two years ago, with around 18% of these being generative AI smartphones. Apple is attempting a turnaround through its new phone release despite entering this field later than competitors.
However, industry insiders are not optimistic about Apple's path forward regarding AI technology. Firstly, there may be regional imbalances in the application scope of Apple Intelligence; due to regulatory constraints within Europe鈥檚 EU region, it might face delays compared with other regions like China where collaboration prospects between Apple and local generative-AI developers remain unclear.
Secondly, concerning investment and cooperation on AI technologies, Apple's pace is somewhat slower. The Wall Street Journal reports that the demand for iPhones enhanced by AI will serve as a litmus test of market interest in this technology. Competitors have invested heavily into developing models capable of interacting with users through chat or other means akin to human behavior, creating content and generating images/animations. However, many companies' profitability remains uncertain; investors are more cautious about spending on AI compared to earlier parts of the year.
Lastly, a slower cycle for upgrading phones introduces uncertainty regarding iPhone sales growth. According to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), carriers play an enormous role in new smartphone purchases within the US market where they account for about three-quarters of all new iPhones sold there annually. Although upgrade incentives still exist, some iPhone users have delayed upgrades over recent years due to less significant design innovations or added features with each generation.