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Ming-Chi Kuo: There’s no Apple iPhone 16 ‘supercycle’
Apple should be unhappy with iPhone 16 sales numbers. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo compiled data from a supply chain survey and pre-order results from official websites. It suggests the new iPhones are not selling as expected.
According to the report, pre-orders for the Apple iPhone 16 series in the first weekend are estimated to be about 37 million units. This is approximately down 12.7% year-on-year compared to the iPhone 15 line’s first-weekend sales.
In addition, the demand for iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max is lower than expected. It comes as quite a surprising move as Apple debuted an even more powerful chipset, expanded the Telephoto camera to the Pro model, and fueled AI capabilities.
Has Apple Intelligence failed?
Apple partnered with OpenAI to bring AI capabilities to the iPhone. The iOS 18 introduces AI features on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Apple Intelligence suite is coming across the iPhone 16 models.
Lower than-expected sales suggest Apple Intelligence made no impact on sales. The non-Pro models also bring AI capabilities and have a dedicated Camera Control button too. However, consumers don’t consider them a reason to upgrade.
It is also possible that the sales may be boosted in the next couple of weeks. The reason is, that AI features won’t be available in the iPhone 16 series when they start to deliver. Rather, Apple planned to roll out in batches starting in October.
In addition, intense competition from Huawei in China is impacting iPhone demand over there. Well, Kuo says the US tech giant would not reduce its production, and it’s expected to go on as previously decided.
Samsung Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus, and Galaxy S22 Ultra smartphones are getting an Android 14-based One UI 6.1.1 update. The company has initiated this update rollout for S22 series users in Korea and the company will expand it in more countries soon.
One UI 6.1.1 update for the Samsung Galaxy S22 series arrives with One UI build versions given below.
- S901NKSU5EXH7 – Galaxy S22
- S906NKSU5EXH7 – Galaxy S22 Plus
- S908NKSU5EXH7 – Galaxy S22 Ultra
One UI 6.1.1 update adds exciting new features to improve your smartphone experience. It introduces Galaxy AI’s Sketch Conversion, which turns simple drawings into artwork in apps like Samsung Notes.
It also enhances photos with AI-generated style portraits and adds text auto-completion to the Samsung Keyboard for easier typing. You can now translate calls in real-time on apps like Google Meet and WhatsApp, and translate text in images with Samsung Internet.
Listening Mode helps translate languages during lectures. The update lets you record voice and convert it to text, manage PDFs better, and set wallpapers that change with the weather and time.
Users can check new software updates manually with a handful of simple steps. Firstly, visit your Galaxy device’s “System Settings,” once done, scroll down and tap the “Software update” tab, followed by the “Download and install” button.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus could look the same as S24 Plus from the front. The company has reportedly reduced side bezels on the vanilla and Ultra variants. Meanwhile, the lineup’s middle child could introduce no bezel refinements.
The Galaxy S25 Plus could have wider bezels than S25 and S25 Ultra. Tipster IceUniverse claims that the move is aligned with differentiating the Plus from Ultra. It’s also said that the recently leaked renders have frame appearance errors.
The S25 Ultra is said to be slightly thicker and more squarish than the S25 Plus. This is highly due to identical display size with a difference of only 0.1mm. The backplate will have notable differences due to distinct cameras and sensors.
Samsung’s next-gen flagships will likely debut in January next year. Details about the upcoming phones are floating heavily, fading the One UI 7 trend. However, things may change with time as early rumors couldn’t be considered final specs.
A bad news,S25+ will be the widest bezel among the three models, which is almost the same as S24+.
It may be that Samsung did this on purpose to make way for S25 Ultra.
Among the three models, the narrowest bezel is S25 Ultra. pic.twitter.com/CaEPyeooAC— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) September 17, 2024
I have a more accurate CAD than onleaks, which contains lines that were missing before, so I know this.
— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) September 18, 2024
The Galaxy S25 Plus could be equipped with a 4900mAh battery. Similar to the S24 Plus, it would support 45W fast charging technology. Yet, you can expect even longer battery performance due to the enhanced application processor.
Samsung will either use Exynos 2500 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. Both chipsets will be developed using the next-generation 3nm chipset. Improved display technology may further push the power efficiency, offering even more juice to run.
Samsung Foundry is not doing well with the newest cutting-edge technologies. Now, a new report from a Korean media outlet suggests that Samsung could begin DS Division restructuring by year-end, aiming to break down silos.
According to ChosunBiz (via TrendForce), Samsung plans a major shuffle in the DS (Semiconductor Foundry) Division. The move is aimed at addressing issues like lack of communication and team self-interest.
Additionally, Samsung is also facing competition in the DRAM market, falling behind SK Hynix in HBM and DDR5. TrendForce highlights that the company needs to go beyond restructuring to fundamentally change its organization.
Samsung’s DS division reportedly planning to strengthen collaboration processes by integrating existing team-based structures into a project-centered model, to resolve issues arising from the siloed operation of departments.
Recently, it was reported that the company is planning to cut up to 30% of its workforce in the future. The Korean tech giant’s Foundry business is struggling due to various issues, including low yields for the 3nm GAA process.
Earlier, The Korea Times reported that yield for Samsung’s 3nm process remained in the single digits until Q1 this year, and slightly improved to about 20% in Q2. The company needs the yield rate to be at least 60 percent to trigger mass production.
A Samsung spokesperson cited by Chosun Biz admitted that there continues to be a disconnection between the departments developing new processes and those responsible for mass production, with serious issues arising from the shifting of blame for failures.