Apple's Upcoming iPhone Launch: What to Expect and Why It Matters for the Stock.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 line-up, including a new iPhone 17 Air, at its upcoming event. Analysts forecast unit sales to rise 1% YoY to 235 million in fiscal 2026. The event may also feature updated Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods 3, as well as progress on artificial intelligence. Historically, Apple shares have dipped after launch events but could fare better this year with compelling AI demonstrations or pricing surprises. BofA maintains a Buy rating on the stock with a price objective of $250.

Apple is gearing up to unveil its highly anticipated iPhone 17 lineup at an upcoming event, with the iPhone 17 Air expected to be a standout model. Analysts forecast unit sales to rise by 1% year-over-year (YoY) to 235 million in fiscal 2026, as reported by Bank of America Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan [1]. Mohan maintains a Buy rating on Apple stock with a price objective of $250.

The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be the thinnest iPhone ever, measuring around 5.5 mm, and will feature a 6.6-inch ProMotion OLED display, a titanium-aluminum build, and the latest A19 chip, paired with 12 GB of RAM [3]. It will also include Wi-Fi 7 and a single 48MP rear camera. Additionally, the Pro models are expected to introduce reverse wireless charging, allowing users to charge compatible devices such as AirPods or Apple Watch by placing them on the back of the phone [3].

The event is also expected to feature updates to Apple's wearable and audio accessories, including the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods 3. The Series 11 may include enhanced health monitoring features such as blood pressure tracking and 5G connectivity, while the Ultra 3 is rumored to have a larger, brighter display and satellite connectivity [2, 3].

Historically, Apple shares have dipped after launch events, but analysts suggest that compelling AI demonstrations or pricing surprises could improve stock performance this year. Apple is expected to make significant strides in AI integration, with rumors suggesting that Siri will incorporate Google’s Gemini AI, marking a strategic shift towards generative AI [3].

Pre-orders for the iPhone 17 lineup are expected to start on September 12, with in-store availability on September 19, aligning with Apple's typical rollout [1]. The event is scheduled for early September, with the exact date yet to be announced.

References:
[1] https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/reiteration/25/08/47314031/apple-iphone-17-launch-could-trigger-sell-the-news-reaction-analyst-warns
[2] https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/the-apple-watch-ultra-3-could-see-its-biggest-upgrade-yet/
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/apple-unveils-iphone-17-lineup-ai-driven-features-design-overhaul-2508/