By Jamie Barrie C ompany aims to boost sales after iPhone X missed expectations. All models to have facial recognition, edge-to- edge screens.
Apple Inc. is preparing to release a trio of new smartphones later this year: the largest iPhone ever, an upgraded handset the same size as the current iPhone X and a less expensive model with some of the flagship phone’s key features as the company looks to boost sales after iPhone X missed sales expectations.
With the new lineup, Apple wants to appeal to the growing number of consumers who crave the multitasking attributes of so-called phablets understanding that customers are looking for a more affordable version of the iPhone X.
Apple’s iPhone X has not sold as well as the company expected, selling 77.3 million iPhones in the final quarter of 2017, below analysts’ projections of 80.2 million units. With industry experts saying that consumers were turned away by the iPhone X’s $1,000 price tag. Apple, which is already running production tests with suppliers, is expected to announce the new phones this fall, and all models will have facial recognition, edge-to- edge screens with some models having a screen close to 6.5 inches, which will make it one of the largest mainstream smartphones on the market. While the body of the phone will be about the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus, the screen will be about an inch larger thanks to the edge-to- edge design used in the iPhone X.
The larger screen should appeal personal and business users alike. Larger screen better for stream and for the business users allowing them to write emails and manage spreadsheets on a screen about as big as a small tablet.
In 2013, Apple tried to sell cheaper phones to boost sales and it had very poor results as consumers were electing to purchase higher end phones for very little extra money. So, it will be interesting to see how this strategy plays out for Apple this time.
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MARCH 2018
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