Investment firm Jefferies helped to send Apple stock downward Monday morning when it cut its price target from $900 to $800, but the financial group also predicted that Apple will launch its next iPhone and iPad as early as June, followed by a television set in the fall of 2013.
Monday's research note from analyst Peter Misek cited his checks with industry sources, who indicated Apple is likely to launch a so-called "iPhone 5S" in June or July of 2013. He expects the new iPhone will include "a new super HD camera/screen, a better battery, and NFC."
Misek is less confident on a number of additional "possible updates" to the next iPhone, including an IGZO screen from Sharp for what he called a "Retina+" display," as well as 128 gigabytes of storage, and as many as six new color options in addition to the current black and white offerings.
As for a fifth-generation iPad, Misek sees the updated hardware launching in June with an IGZO screen. He expects the new model will be half as thick as the current option, with "significantly" reduced weight.
Fewer details were provided on a potential Apple television set, but Misek said he believes the mythical device will launch in September or October of 2013.
"iTV prototypes are also floating around," Misek wrote. "Gesture and voice control along with new user interface are the main innovations."
Finally, the analyst also spoke of a potential low-cost iPhone, which he said is "not greenlit yet," but could possibly launch in 2013. If a new, less expensive iPhone does debut next year, he sees it launching in June or July with a price point between $200 and $250 without a service contract.
"Our checks indicate a low-cost model would be a retooled iPhone 4 with a scaled-down modem, apps processor, etc.," he wrote. "Foxconn International Holdings already has a supply chain for capacity scaling up to 200-300K units per day."
As for the new, lower $800 price target for AAPL stock, Misek believes Apple's iPhone build plans will decelerate from a 50 percent increase in 2013 to 20 percent growth in fiscal 2014. He believes much of this will be due to smartphone saturation in developed markets.
"(Average selling prices) have likely peaked," Misek said. "With smartphone penetration high in developed markets, the future for Apple and the industry is developing markets."
76 Comments
so what. does this guy say about Amazon?.... up, up and away?, how can that be?... amazon makes trinkets!.
Hey Soli, here come the colors you and I expected for the MIni, 6 to 8 of 'em. That's at least according to the report.
How can the chart go to 120%?
No.
I would find it a lot easier to take these folks seriously if they would get the little things right. ITV is a trademark in the UK in the television market that Apple hasn't attempted to use in how many years, why would they not. So stop calling this unicorn horn and dragon poop pipe dream (at this point) an iTV. It makes you look uninformed about the market which isn't really possible since there have been tons of articles about how iTV UK has promises to sue Apple if they try to use the 'mark. And Apple has set up rather nicely that iPhones will be in the fall after a WWDC preview of the new iOS. That isn't likely to change. The iPad might get a step update at six months but that is more likely to be March-April than June. But it is more likely that they are shifting to a fall only release on those as well. That way all new products launch with the new iOS instead of the iPads coming out with six month old software and getting a fall 'update' that is only software based and might not have the hardware needed for some new feature for another six months. These sorts of things are what we should be hearing from thoughtful analysts instead of the hit foddering, pulled from their butts, stock toying crap we typically get
And Apple has set up rather nicely that iPhones will be in the fall after a WWDC preview of the new iOS. That isn't likely to change.
If we see iOS 7 in the spring, get ready for (idiotic) 6-month cycles.