[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] Apple's new product launch event is just one day away.
According to industry sources on the 14th, Apple will hold a 'Special Event' at 10 a.m. US time (2 a.m. Korean time) on the 14th at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, to unveil the iPhone 13 series. The iPhone 13 series is expected to consist of four models, including the base model 'iPhone 13 (6.1-inch)', 'iPhone 13 Mini (5.4-inch)', 'iPhone 13 Pro (6.1-inch)', and 'iPhone 13 Pro Max (6.7-inch)', similar to its predecessor. Apple is also expected to unveil the 'Apple Watch 7' and 'AirPods 3' at the event. In first-release countries such as the U.S. and Japan, pre-orders will begin on the 17th, with the official launch on the 24th, and the release in Korea is expected on the 1st of next month.
Apple to unveil 'iPhone 13' series on the 14th
As the launch date approaches, most information about the design, colors, and differences from the previous model has been leaked. In terms of design, the changes are expected to be minor compared to the previous model, with the most noticeable feature being the reduction of the notch from 35mm to 26mm. Since the iPhone X in 2017, Apple has adopted the 'notch display' with a cutout at the top center of the screen. The notch design has been criticized for interfering with an immersive viewing experience.
The color options are also expected to see slight changes. Earlier, IT media outlet 91mobiles cited a Ukrainian website to reveal the color and storage options for each iPhone 13 model. According to the report, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini will be available in six colors: ▲Black ▲Blue ▲Purple ▲Pink ▲White ▲Red, while the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max will offer four color options: ▲Black ▲Silver ▲Gold ▲Bronze. The base and Mini models replace the previous Green color with Pink, and the premium Pro line adds Black and Bronze as new colors.
There are also forecasts that the series will include a model with 1 terabyte (TB) of storage. Major foreign media cited a report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities, stating that 1TB models will be added to the Pro and Pro Max. Additionally, the Mini and iPhone 13 will no longer offer a 64GB model and will start from 128GB. To summarize, the Mini and iPhone 13 storage options will be ▲128GB ▲256GB ▲512GB, while the Pro and Pro Max will be ▲256GB ▲512GB ▲1TB.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that the iPhone will feature satellite communication for the first time. Equipped with low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication, this function allows users to send emergency text messages or make calls via satellite when cellular service is unavailable. Camera performance is also expected to improve, including an ultra-wide lens with autofocus. Other features likely to be included are professional-grade ProRes video recording and 'Cinematic Video,' which focuses on the subject while blurring the background.
Can it reach 100 million units sold? Price freeze or reduction possible
Whether the iPhone 13 can continue the success of its predecessor is a point of interest. Apple's first 5G phone, the iPhone 12, achieved over 100 million units sold within six months, demonstrating immense popularity. According to market research firm TrendForce, over 130 million iPhone 12 series units were sold by the second quarter of this year. Industry insiders report that Apple has increased orders for the A15 processor used in the iPhone 13 to 100 million units, reflecting confidence that the iPhone 13 will achieve record-breaking success similar to its predecessor.
However, there are also pessimistic views due to the challenging market environment. Except for a few features, the iPhone 13 is not significantly different from its predecessor, which may make it difficult to leave a strong impression on consumers. Additionally, Samsung Electronics' foldable phones have received great responses, potentially absorbing some demand for the iPhone 13. The recently released Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 recorded 920,000 units in domestic pre-orders, and the number of pre-order waiters in the Chinese market reached one million, showing positive reactions both domestically and internationally.
Considering this market environment, there are talks that Apple might freeze or slightly reduce the price of this series. Since launching the iPhone in 2007, Apple has raised prices annually for new products, but this year, due to relatively fewer differentiating features and Samsung's aggressive pricing strategy, Apple may revise its strategy.
Apple has raised prices annually since the iPhone's launch in 2007, but this year it is expected to maintain or slightly lower prices. This is due to the relative lack of differentiation and Samsung's aggressive pricing policy introduced this year. IT media outlet PhoneArena predicts the prices for this series will remain the same as the previous generation: ▲Mini $699 (approx. 820,000 KRW) ▲iPhone 13 $799 (approx. 930,000 KRW) ▲Pro $999 (approx. 1,170,000 KRW) ▲Pro Max $1,099 (approx. 1,290,000 KRW).
In addition to the iPhone 13, Apple is also expected to unveil the new smartwatch 'Apple Watch 7' and wireless earphones 'AirPods 3.' The Apple Watch series has seen new releases every year, while the last AirPods model was released in 2019. The Apple Watch 7 screen is expected to be larger than the current 40mm and 44mm versions, measuring 41mm and 45mm respectively when measured vertically by the case, with diagonal screen sizes of 1.78 inches and 1.9 inches. The AirPods 3, released after two years, are known to have a design similar to the AirPods Pro but are not expected to support Active Noise Cancelling (ANC).
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
