Apple Seen to Increase iPhone Refreshes in 2014 Says Analyst

iPhones

Apple is set to increase the frequency of iPhone updates, one analyst believes after a discussion with Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer.

This means we could see an early iPhone update next year, and we don’t have to wait until next September to get our hands on Apple’s hot selling product, at least according to Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty. In a note sent to investors Wednesday morning, she called the iPhone line divergence “a thoughtful approach.” (via AppleInsider)

In fact, there is a precedent for that: last year’s twin launch of the iPad 3 and iPad 4. This year’s iPhone 5s and 5c launch comes on top of that, although the two devices were launched on the same date. Following the conversation with Apple’s CEO and CFO, Huberty believes everything is set for “multiple refreshes per year.”

She also notes that Apple’s product cycle strategy apparently is changing, as the company’s September event was concentrated on the iPod. What Apple’s quarterly earnings show, though, is that the iPod business is falling. In fact, iPod unit shipping has dropped 35% year-over-year, while revenue fell 30%.

It is worth noting here that Apple has released the iPhone 4S in October, while the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s and 5c were released in September 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Huberty also foresees a jump in revenue from services, given the potential of Apple’s 600 million customer accounts, most with a credit card linked to it.

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