TF International: Mid-September iPhone Launch May Be Hedge Against Recession
19 AUGUST 2022 - Yesterday we talked about the belief of Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman that Apple will announce the new round of iPhones and Apple Watches on Wednesday 7 September - likely lining up the release of the devices on Friday 16 September. If you’re wondering whether he’s correct, you’re apparently in the minority. Maybe it’s his track record, maybe it’s just the time of year. Whatever the reason, his assertion seems to be accepted as fact at this point. From headlines like “Apple Planning to Hold iPhone 14 Event on September 7” to a couple of Twitter posts from TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo saying here’s the reason why - it sounds like everyone’s a go, even if Apple hasn’t said so. Let’s check in with Young MC. According to the first post:
The iPhone 14 announcement/shipping date may be earlier than iPhone 13/12, which could be one of the reasons why Apple offered a positive outlook for 3Q22 from the last earnings call.
The reason why, according to the second post:
The global recession risk is still growing and unpredictable, so announcing/shipping the iPhone as soon as possible may minimize the impact of recession risk on demand.
It’s hard to know whether that’s the reason Apple’s targeting a mid-September launch (assuming it is targeting that timeframe). Either way - if the timing’s right, it would give something of a boost to iPhone sales at the end of the September-quarter.
