iPhone 16 Series Released: More Features, Same Price, But Is It Worth It?

iPhone 16 Series Released: More Features, Same Price, But Is It Worth It?On September 11th, Apple officially launched the iPhone 16 series, consisting of four new models, aligning with previously leaked information. The two Pro versions feature larger screens at 6

iPhone 16 Series Released: More Features, Same Price, But Is It Worth It?

On September 11th, Apple officially launched the iPhone 16 series, consisting of four new models, aligning with previously leaked information. The two Pro versions feature larger screens at 6.3 and 6.9 inches, a camera control button across the entire lineup, AppleIntelligence, the latest A18/A18 Pro chips, enhanced imaging capabilities, and new color options. Despite these upgrades, the pricing for all iPhone 16 models remains consistent with the previous iPhone 15 series, offering more features without raising the price.

If you're looking for a compelling reason to upgrade, the new deep blue and teal colors are indeed eye-catching, instantly showcasing your new iPhone. However, we believe the iPhone 16 series will still be a desirable upgrade for many users. Even without considering the future potential of AppleIntelligence, the iPhone's superior user experience and app ecosystem remain unmatched.

Numerous consumers are eagerly anticipating the pre-order date on September 13th and the official release on September 20th. Unlike Chinese smartphone brands that often publicize pre-order and initial sales figures, Apple maintains a low profile in this area, even refraining from revealing specific sales numbers in recent years. Nevertheless, pre-orders for new iPhones consistently overwhelm Apple's servers, resulting in long queues outside Apple stores on launch days and social media flooded with order confirmations and new phone photos. The iPhone's appeal is undeniable.

iPhone Prices No Longer Unbreakable

However, considering the recent price trends of new iPhones, we don't recommend purchasing a new iPhone at launch, unless you crave being the "coolest kid" on social media launch day. The adage "early bird gets the worm" still holds, but discounts on new iPhones are now arriving with remarkable speed, leaving first-day buyers with a sense of disappointment.

Last year, iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models already saw prices drop below official pricing on third-party channels on launch day. Only the iPhone 15 Pro series maintained some price premium, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, featuring a titanium frame and upgraded 5x telephoto lens, becoming a hot commodity. On the evening of the pre-order launch, delivery times for the original titanium color on the official website stretched for over a month, while third-party sellers offered the same model at a markup of over 1,000 yuan. Even days after launch, scalpers were only able to resell the original titanium iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Once upon a time, it was common to see queues forming outside stores days before launch and servers crashing online due to overwhelming demand for new iPhones. However, Apple's recent commitment to abundant stock for new iPhones has made it easier to purchase new models both online and offline, eliminating the previous scenarios where ordinary consumers had to outsmart scalpers both online and in physical stores.

Ample Supply Firm Prices

The improved supply situation isn't the primary reason for the rapid price drops of Apple's new iPhones in recent years. The core issue lies in the products' market competitiveness. With the exception of the occasional iPhone SE refresh, Apple releases new iPhones only once a year, launching four new models simultaneously. This strategy leads Apple to prioritize stability and maturity in design and features, avoiding significant upgrades that could potentially impact iPhone functionality and sales figures.

After all, iPhones contribute 45.80% of Apple's revenue (source: Apple's Q3 2024 earnings report), forming the foundation of Apple's revenue and brand image. Therefore, Apple can only make moderate innovations and iterations to the iPhone while ensuring no mistakes. This product update model has proven successful globally, with Apple's primary competitor, Samsung, adhering to a similar approach. Together, they consistently hold the top two positions in the global smartphone market.

iPhone Isn't the Only "Top-Tier" Choice

However, in the fiercely competitive Chinese smartphone market, the conservative brand strategies of overseas brands like Apple and Samsung are increasingly failing to resonate with consumers. While Apple iPhones still have advantages in performance and system interaction, domestic brands like OPPO, vivo, Xiaomi, Huawei, and Honor have significantly invested in high-end smartphone products, surpassing Apple and Samsung in various technical specifications and user experiences.

For example, Apple iPhones previously led in imaging with their hardware and algorithm advantages. However, Chinese brands have employed strategies like custom sensors, dedicated imaging chips, proprietary imaging algorithms, and collaborations with camera giants, enabling them to surpass Apple iPhones in photographic capabilities, particularly in long-range zoom performance with periscope telephoto lenses. Apple only recently incorporated a 120mm four-element reflective prism telephoto lens, similar to a periscope structure, into the iPhone 15 Pro Max last fall, offering 5x optical zoom, and continued this trend in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max this year. Domestic brands had already begun researching and experimenting with periscope lenses 3-4 years ago, integrating them into flagship models. This year, high-end models like the OPPO Find X7 Ultra, Honor Magic6 Pro, and vivo X100 Ultra witnessed a breakthrough in periscope lens technology, featuring dual periscope lenses and 100-megapixel periscope lenses, significantly enhancing long-range photo performance.

Similarly, domestic smartphone brands have surpassed their overseas counterparts in technologies like screens, charging, and communication. These technological investments and advancements have led to increased consumer recognition of domestic brands, particularly in the high-end market, previously dominated by Apple and Samsung. Flagship models from brands like Huawei, OPPO, vivo, Honor, and Xiaomi are now gaining a foothold in the high-end market.

With the rise of domestic brands, Apple's iPhone is no longer the sole or only option in the high-end market.

Apple's Conservative Strategy

In stark contrast to the intense competition among domestic brands, Apple adopts a more conservative product strategy. Whether it's phones, laptops, tablets, Watches, headphones, or other product lines, Apple maintains strong design and functional consistency. Product aesthetics often adapt to functional requirements, such as the notch and Dynamic Island for FaceID and progressively larger rear camera modules for enhanced imaging. The iPhone 16 series features updates like the A18 chip, 8GB RAM across the lineup, AppleIntelligence support, primary and ultrawide-angle lens upgrades, new colors, and new design elements. For most consumers, the most noticeable changes might be the new XXX, XXX, and XXX casing colors and the vertically positioned camera module on the standard models, making it more apparent that you've upgraded.

Design serving function is a refreshing approach in a smartphone industry obsessed with aesthetics for novelty's sake. However, it also diminishes the motivation for consumers to upgrade their phones. Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted before the launch that iPhone 16 series orders, from an EMS/assembly perspective, would be slightly lower than those for the iPhone 15 series last fall.

Price Trend Forecast for the iPhone 16 Series

The iPhone 15 series saw prices drop below official levels, even before launch, and shortly after launch. By the end of October last year, third-party platforms were selling the iPhone 15 for 5,198 yuan (128GB) and 6,098 yuan (256GB), compared to their respective official prices of 5,999 yuan and 6,999 yuan. Other models also saw price differences between official and third-party platforms ranging from 800 to 1,300 yuan. The only exception was the iPhone 15 Pro Max with its titanium frame, 5x telephoto lens, large battery, and lighter weight. The original titanium color maintained its original price until last year's Double 11, while other color options experienced marginal price drops.

This year's iPhone 16 series builds upon the previous generation's features with steady upgrades, maintaining a price range from 5,999 yuan to 13,999 yuan. For ordinary consumers, there's a lack of "decisive" upgrade incentives like a Type-C port or a 5x telephoto lens. Additionally, the release of flagship chip platforms like Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen4 and MediaTek Dimensity 9400 is expected next month, followed by a rapid launch of corresponding smartphones. This year's competition in the premium flagship smartphone market is more intense than ever.

Currently, the iPhone 16 series might not hold the same market appeal as its predecessor, the iPhone 15 series. Price drops on third-party platforms for the iPhone 16 series could occur earlier than in previous years, potentially with even larger discounts.

iPhone 16 Series Purchase Guidance

While the iPhone 16 series might not offer upgrades or competitive advantages as significant as its predecessor, its "more for the same price" proposition should still make it a top choice for many consumers. Unless you're eager to be among the first to purchase and flaunt your new phone on social media, we recommend waiting a bit. Both third-party platforms and Apple's official channels will offer various discounts.

It's anticipated that most iPhone 16 series models will be readily available in most color variations (even this year's focal colors, deep blue and teal), naturally leading to price reductions.