The upcoming iPhone 16 may not outperform its predecessor, the iPhone 15, as per analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s insights.

– A recent report by Bloomberg suggested that Apple plans to sell 90 million units of the iPhone 16 in the latter half of 2024, which is a modest increase from the 81 million units sold in the same period of 2023.
– However, Kuo offers a different perspective. Key suppliers like TSMC and Largan have not reported an uptick in component orders compared to last year.
– Kuo estimates that around 87 million iPhone 16 units will be manufactured in the latter part of the year, slightly lower than the 91 million units produced in H2 2023.

While many anticipate that Apple Intelligence will be a major driver for upgrades, Kuo highlights that its impact may not be as significant as anticipated. Here are some key points to consider:

– Initially, Apple Intelligence will be available in beta and only for users in the US.
– There is growing AI fatigue among consumers, suggesting that relying solely on artificial intelligence as a selling point may not yield the same results as before.
– The best Apple Intelligence features may not be fully realized for another year, making it less compelling for most users to upgrade solely for AI capabilities.

In terms of hardware improvements:

– Pro models are rumored to feature larger screens and a new 48MP ultrawide camera.
– Smaller models could showcase a redesigned camera array.
– The entire lineup is expected to run on new 3nm chips, potentially offer faster charging speeds, and sport an updated Face ID design.

While these enhancements could position the iPhone 16 as one of the top smartphones of the year, Apple may need to introduce additional innovations to drive a supercycle.