Outside a slight superiority in display resolution, there isn’t much else to the iPhone 15’s advantage for the average user. Overall, the Pixel 7 ends up miles ahead while the Galaxy S23 runs at par in terms of price.
Some reports tout the iPhone 15 as having a number of groundbreaking features. However, as a tech magazine outlined, virtually all of them have long been available in other devices. Case in point: the iPhone 15’s « Grade 5 titanium » casing. This already debuted in 2017 via the « Essential Phone » created by the now-defunct Essential Products (which at one time was backed by Amazon, Tencent, and Foxconn). Furthermore, the titanium casing only extends to the frame while still relying on glass for the back.
The « new camera » in the iPhone 15 Pro Max was already featured in the Huawei P30 Pro back in 2019. The 5x Optical Zoom capability matches that of the Pixel 7 Pro and is only half of what the Galaxy S23 Ultra offers.
Two other features are centered around an important factor in the company’s revenue stream: « upselling. » First, the iPhone 15’s 3D Video Recording (or « Spatial Recording ») feature, a version of which had already debuted in 2017 via the HTC EVO 3D. As per the company, users can « capture precious moments in three dimensions and relive those memories with incredible depth on Apple Vision Pro when it is available early next year in the U.S. » Unlike the EVO 3D, users won’t be able to view this content via their devices. It will be viewable via the Apple Vision Pro headset. The headset’s price: a mere $3,000 (starting price).
Next is the company’s switch from its proprietary « Lightning » charging technology to the more universal USB-C standard. While some quarters hold the opinion that this was unilaterally done by the company to benefit users, the actual truth might be slightly different. The European Union’s (EU) Parliament voted in 2022 to have a common charging port amongst devices. Tablets, phones, and cameras are required to have USB-C by the end of 2024 while laptops are to follow suit with a similar standard by 2026. The EU hopes to address two issues thus:
Consumers will be freed from the « lock-in » effect, wherein they become dependent on the proprietary technology of a sole Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
EU residents will save an estimated €250 million a year by no longer having to purchase specific accessories. Standardization will also help reduce an estimated 11,000 tons of electronic waste in Europe.
However, there is some benefit to users: « Lightning » offered a transfer speed of only 480 Mbps while the iPhone 15’s new cable offer 10Gbps. However, this is only half of the 20 Gbps speed capable with the Galaxy S23 series. To get transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps and fast charging up to 100 watts, users are offered the Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable for $69.
While « upselling » and retaining a monopoly on after-sales purchases has long been an integral part of the company’s revenue streams, the latest movement towards standardization and the lack of a strong technological edge in its products that would compel a switch by users of other devices wouldn’t be supporting sales growth over the next year.
Financial Trends
At this point, an examination of line item trends over the past three quarters of FY 2023 (announced in August) versus that of past full financial years (FY) would be in order. Firstly, the examination of net sales trends as per region and product segment:
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