- By Zoe Kleinman
- Technology editor
As I write this there are nonetheless a number of hours earlier than Apple unveils the latest model of its best-selling product, the iPhone.
In the previous few weeks we have seen the handset come underneath strain individually from each the EU and China. Globally, smartphone gross sales typically are slowing, and Apple’s extremely anticipated digital actuality headset – which the agency gave the impression to be positioning as a possible future iPhone – will not go on sale till subsequent 12 months.
When it does it would have a whopping $3,500 (£2,780) price ticket.
And so, within the meantime, we get to satisfy the sixteenth technology of a tool which modified the smartphone panorama ceaselessly when it launched in 2007.
It could also be, ahem, mature, however it nonetheless instructions huge curiosity right now – there are already almost 5 billion Google search outcomes for the phrase “iPhone 15”, regardless of no official previews from Apple itself.
If you dive in and begin studying the hypothesis and “leaks” buzzing round, you will see that the iPhone 15 fashions are prone to be somewhat lighter than their predecessors, with an improved chip, higher battery life, higher digital camera and titanium chassis.
You might really feel that I might have written one thing fairly comparable this time final 12 months, or the 12 months earlier than that. I in all probability did.
Apple handset generations, like most gadgets, are inclined to characteristic incremental enhancements more often than not. It’s one of many points blamed for slowing gross sales worldwide. People are holding on to their gadgets longer – not solely as a result of they’re costly each financially and environmentally – but in addition as a result of there is not any longer the identical burning justification to deal with your self to an upgrade.
“I feel Apple in all probability realise they’ve reached a degree the place there’s such a essential mass of iPhones that merely sustaining these volumes is an outstanding achievement,” Ben Wood, a smartphone professional on the analysts CCS Insight advised me.
He agrees that whereas we in all probability will not see a radically totally different iPhone on stage at Apple’s annual September occasion within the US this night, what we’ll see is the theatre of a rich firm well-versed in performing for its fan membership.
Currently iPhones depend on a proprietary lightning cable, whereas most different gadgets – together with others made by Apple – have a tendency to make use of USB-C. The essential bodily distinction is that the 2 are totally different shapes. So if, for instance, you may have an iPhone and a Kindle, your iPhone charger will not match within the port on your Kindle and vice versa.
Apple has lengthy insisted that diversifying merchandise at all times results in higher innovation. It has additionally pushed wi-fi charging instead for a number of years – all handsets for the reason that iPhone 8 have been suitable.
But you is perhaps justified in including that cable to your cable drawer (you realize the one) reasonably than ditching it – Ben Wood says there is a booming market in second hand iPhones, particularly in Africa.
“iPhones are entering into the palms of people that could not beforehand afford them… and it locks them into the Apple ecosystem,” he stated.
This has much less to do with the cellphone itself and extra to do with the continuing tech tussle between China and the US – however it prompted Apple’s share value to wobble. The majority of individuals in China use Android gadgets, however the iPhone is the best-selling premium (by which I imply top-dollar) handset.
It’s moreover awkward for Apple as a result of it nonetheless makes merchandise there. It has been attempting to maneuver away – the iPhone 14 is assembled in India, for instance – however it nonetheless wants Chinese-based firms and factories.
Apple nonetheless wants China then. But how a lot do the remainder of us want – or need – the brand new iPhone? We’re about to search out out.
