Apple Bets on AI, Can the iPhone 16 Pro Spark an Upgrade Wave?

Apple Bets on AI, Can the iPhone 16 Pro Spark an Upgrade Wave?Apple firmly believes that AI will lead the next wave of smartphone upgrades, and is heavily investing in its new iPhone 16 Pro series. However, will consumers actually pay for it? Especially Chinese consumers, will they be excited about a phone that boasts AI features?According to the latest supply chain news, Apple has adopted different strategies for the four models in the iPhone 16 series, placing high hopes on the Pro series, which fully supports AI functions

Apple Bets on AI, Can the iPhone 16 Pro Spark an Upgrade Wave?

Apple firmly believes that AI will lead the next wave of smartphone upgrades, and is heavily investing in its new iPhone 16 Pro series. However, will consumers actually pay for it? Especially Chinese consumers, will they be excited about a phone that boasts AI features?

According to the latest supply chain news, Apple has adopted different strategies for the four models in the iPhone 16 series, placing high hopes on the Pro series, which fully supports AI functions. Sources reveal that the iPhone 16 Pro series is expected to account for 70% of sales. It's expected that Apple will produce around 90.1 million iPhone 16 series phones by the end of the year, with approximately 59.8 million Pro/Max models, representing 66%-70% of the total production.

The logic behind this strategy is that Apple believes AI features will become a crucial selling point for attracting consumers. However, some industry chain professionals question this. They point out that besides the AI gimmick, this year's iPhone 16 series seems to lack other notable selling points. One industry chain insider frankly stated, "Apple's iPhone 16 aims to maintain stable sales until next year when they release more innovative models."

For Chinese consumers, the appeal of AI features remains to be seen. On one hand, domestic users have relatively low dependence on AI applications. On the other hand, the AI ecosystem in China is still immature, and user experiences may not meet expectations. Additionally, the iPhone 16 Pro series is expected to maintain a price tag above 10,000 yuan, making consumers ponder if they are willing to pay such a high price for an AI feature that may not be practical.

Beyond price and feature considerations, Chinese consumers also harbor concerns about the origin of the iPhone 16 series. While most countries and regions will use the "Assembled in China" iPhone 16 series, some models are being produced and sold in India. This change has sparked consumer doubts, worrying if the quality of iPhone 16 series produced in India will be guaranteed.

Overall, Apple's strategy of relying on AI features to drive upgrade waves remains uncertain. Whether Chinese consumers will pay for AI features ultimately depends on their actual needs for AI and their overall evaluation of the iPhone 16 series. The actual performance of the iPhone 16 series will determine whether Apple can successfully lead the next wave of smartphone upgrades.