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New Apple Exclusive Exposes iPhone 14 Price Shock

iPhones are about to get more expensive. Recent iPhone 14 leaks claim Apple will raise prices, though there is disagreement on how much and which models. Now, one of the industry’s most respected insiders has an explanation. In new tweets, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimates that the “iPhone 14 series ASP [average selling price] would increase by about 15% vs iPhone 13 series ASP.” Yes, 15% is significantly higher than previous price leaks, and it has set alarm bells ringing about a potential $1300 entry-level iPhone 14 Pro Max. But the full picture is a little more complicated. Kuo explains that the average ASP for iPhone 14 models will be circa $1,000-$1,050 “due to two iPhone 14 Pro’s price hikes and higher shipment proportion.”

Breaking this down is difficult, but Kuo’s numbers indicate that the iPhone 13 range’s ASP was closer to $900. This means customers are expected to pay, on average, roughly $150 more when buying an iPhone 14 compared to an iPhone 13. On the surface, this is one of the biggest jumps in ASP in iPhone history.

08/15 Update: LeaksApplePro has dropped a ton of new information about Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro models. The leaker credits a source who has had “hands-on time with iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max,” revealing some issues with the pair’s new 48MP camera system. “The new 48MP sensor is ‘the best one in a smartphone if there’s enough light’, but there’s some optimization to do regarding night mode,” reports LeaksApplePro. “Source says it’s worse than the 13 Pro in that field. There’s a substantial amount of noise.”

This is the first feedback we’ve had regarding the iPhone 14 Pro’s primary new camera (which is exclusive to Pro models), and the logic makes sense. A higher pixel count (Apple’s first increase since the iPhone 6S in 2015) results in smaller pixels that take in less light, so low-light photos can suffer.

It is important to note that Pixel Binning is a critical way to counter this issue in software, and the software for these phones is unlikely to be final at this stage.

In addition, LeakApplePro’s source reports improved battery life (caveated as a first impression) and said the speakers offer better bass and clarity. Externally, the quality of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max’s displays look “about the same as on the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Max,” and while “the pill+hole looks weird... You forget it’s there once you use the iPhone for a few minutes. Just like the notch.” 08/16 Update: LeaksApplePro has added a further nugget to his iPhone 14 leaks. In comments I initially missed, the leaker has responded to questions regarding connectivity and rear camera size; while adding information about Apple’s next-gen TV and Watch Pro releases.

Starting with the iPhone 14 lineup, LeaksApplePro concurs with rumors that Apple will migrate the iPhone 15 to USB-C in 2023. In addition, owners of Apple’s MagSafe Duo wireless charging accessory may be in trouble when the iPhone 14 launches. The leaker showed a photo of the iPhone 14 Pro’s increased rear camera bump, which stops it from lying flush against the charger:

“The new camera system on the Pro iPhones looks massive. Good luck if you have a MagSafe Duo. It’ll probably work but look horrible. Specially [sic] if you plan on using a case.”

Moving onto other products, LeaksApplePro said the company’s next-gen Apple TV would “most likely” launch in October; while warning users about the price of the upcoming Apple ‘Watch Pro’: “Be ready to empty your wallet because I do know it’ll be very expensive.” While Apple products are renowned for costing more than their rivals, big price hikes for so-called ‘Pro’ devices has become a theme in recent years. This began with the iPad Pro, continued with starting prices for the M1-based MacBook Pro, and the iPhone 14 Pro and Apple Watch Pro releases are now set to follow suit.

With power users still waiting for an Apple silicon-based Mac Pro, there will be growing concern about just how high prices will be when it launches in late 2022/early 2023.

Furthermore, Kuo says more people will buy iPhone 14 Pro models, despite their price rises. How will Apple achieve this? It’s a classic case of pull and push.

First, in an effort to ‘differentiate’ Pro and non-Pro models / upsell customers, Apple will equip iPhone 14 Pro models with more exclusive upgrades than ever before, creating a clear ‘pull’. With the combination of functionality and desirability, Apple is expected to raise prices by $100. This will lift the starting prices for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max to $1099 and $1199, respectively. 
Second is the push because there is likely to be palpable disappointment in the standard iPhone 14. The base model will offer only the most incremental iPhone 13 upgrades, pushing users to buy the more expensive Pro models.

Third, a lot of the heavy lifting will be done by the iPhone 14 Max. This new $899 6.7-inch model will replace the $699 iPhone 13 Mini. That’s a $200 price difference, but a relatively small $100 increase for disappointed iPhone 14 buyers now looking for something more. Furthermore, the Max will sit above the $799 iPhone 14, which means the entry point to the new models has also increased by $100.

Factor in all these changes and a $150 increase in average spend per customer makes a lot of sense. Consequently, if you are committed to buying an iPhone 14 this year (and with USB-C coming in 2023, I’d suggest you shouldn’t be), don’t be surprised if you end up spending a lot more than you planned... 

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