Apple's iPhone Air May Surpass Expectations, Analysts Say

Apple Inc. is placing significant emphasis on the iPhone Air, with analysts from Morgan Stanley expressing optimism about its potential to surpass market expectations. The iPhone Air, despite having specifications closer to the base model iPhone rather than the Pro version, is anticipated to attract a broader consumer base due to its lighter and thinner design. This could lead to a more positive market response than initially anticipated.

The analysts, led by Samik Chatterjee, noted that while the supply chain feedback indicates Apple plans to control the production of the iPhone Air to around 10 million to 15 million units in the second half of the year, there is still potential for the device to surprise the market if consumer reception is favorable. The pricing strategy for the new model is also a key point of interest. If the iPhone Air is priced around 800 dollars, it could qualify for subsidies in the China market, potentially driving additional growth for Apple.

However, not all analysts share this optimism. An analyst from Bank of America expressed a more cautious outlook. The analyst believes that the main highlight of the upcoming event will be the introduction of the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to replace the existing Plus model. While past design innovations have significantly boosted iPhone sales, the analyst suggests that investor expectations for the benefits of an ultra-thin model are more rational this time around. Despite the cautious stance on the iPhone 17 Air, the analyst reiterated a "buy" rating for Apple stock, with a target price set at 250 dollars.