Apple's iPhone 17 Launch Event Draws Criticism for Lack of Innovation, Analysts Warn of "Sell-the-News" Event.

Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Air launch event has drawn criticism from industry analyst Daniel Newman, who slammed the company's lack of innovation and reliance on predictable upgrades. The event, set for September 9, is expected to unveil multiple iPhone 17 models, including the slimmest Air model yet, new colors, enhanced cameras, and pricing starting at $800. Analysts caution that the upgrades may be perceived as modest, potentially turning the event into a "sell-the-news" moment.

Apple Inc. (AAPL) is preparing to unveil its latest iPhone lineup at a highly anticipated event on September 9, but the company is facing criticism from industry analysts who question its innovation. Daniel Newman, CEO of Futurum Group, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his discontent with Apple's reliance on predictable upgrades rather than delivering groundbreaking innovations [1].

The event, dubbed the "Awe Dropping" keynote, will take place at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, and will be livestreamed on apple.com and through the Apple TV app. Apple is expected to present multiple versions of the iPhone 17, including the iPhone 17 Air, which is rumored to be the slimmest model yet [2]. The new model is expected to measure a mere 5.5mm in thickness, nearly a third slimmer than the iPhone 16 Pro [2].

Other upgrades anticipated include new colors such as purple and green, enhanced cameras, and incremental design improvements. The pricing is expected to start at $800 for the base model, $1,050 for the Pro, and $1,250 for the Pro Max [1].

Analysts caution that if the upgrades are perceived as modest, the event could turn into a "sell-the-news" moment, potentially leading to a negative market reaction [1]. Newman's criticism reflects growing impatience among analysts and investors who see rivals like Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Google (GOOGL), and Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) racing ahead in artificial intelligence [1].

Apple is one of only two stocks in the Magnificent Seven, alongside Tesla Inc. (TSLA), showing a negative year-to-date performance. Shares are down 1.71% YTD, though they have risen 8.50% over the past 12 months [1].

The company is also expected to reveal updates to the Apple Watch series and AirPods Pro 3. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is set to feature a larger display, the new S11 chip, support for 5G Redcap, and capabilities for satellite text messaging and emergencies [2]. The AirPods Pro 3 are expected to come with a heart rate monitoring sensor, a temperature sensor, and live translation support [3].

References:
[1] https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/09/47540193/apples-upcoming-awe-dropping-event-with-iphone-17-air-draws-criticism-as-commentator-daniel-newman-slams-lack-of-innovation
[2] https://www.rswebsols.com/news/apple-iphone-17-pro-iphone-air-and-watch-series-11-full-overview-of-product-launches-on-september-9/
[3] https://inshorts.com/en/news/apple-to-unveil-airpods-pro-3-at-iphone-17-launch-event--report-1757256993667