With Apple stock in a recent slump, the consumer electronics giant hopes its introduction next Wednesday of the iPhone 14 will get investors enthused about the company's prospects.
But based on news leaks, the iPhone 14 series smartphones look like incremental updates to last year's iPhone 13 models.
The biggest change with the 16th-generation iPhone likely will turn the smartphone's display notch into a pill-shaped cutout. The notch contains the front-facing camera and other sensors.
Other changes with the annual iPhone refresh include the usual suspects — faster processor, better camera, and improved battery life.
Samsung Trolls Apple With Ad
Rival Samsung already is mocking Apple for its lack of innovation in the iPhone 14. In an advertisement for its Galaxy S22 Ultra and Z Flip 4 smartphones, Samsung proclaims, "This innovation is not coming soon to an iPhone near you."
In the ad, Samsung boasts the highest resolution camera on a smartphone at 108 megapixels. It also touts a 100-times zoom feature.
With the iPhone 14, Apple likely will move to a 48-megapixel rear camera, up from 12 megapixels, for the higher-end Pro models.
Apple iPhone 14 Coming In Four Models
Analysts expect Apple to announce four versions of its iPhone 14 handsets during the company's fall product launch event, titled "Far Out." It also will show off its Apple Watch Series 8 smartwatches and possibly other gadgets.
The iPhone 14 lineup could get a satellite link feature that would allow users to communicate when out of cellular range, especially in emergencies, according to news reports.
In addition to a higher-resolution camera, the Pro models of the iPhone 14 likely will get Apple's newest processor, the A16 chip. Another rumor has the Pro models getting an always-on display for the lock screen.
Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives said the iPhone 14 launch is a "pivotal moment" for Apple. The company needs a compelling handset lineup to get users of older iPhones to upgrade, he said in a note to clients.
Ives estimates that 240 million of the 1 billion iPhone users worldwide have not upgraded their handsets in more than 3.5 years.
IPhone 14 Pricing A Key Focus Area
A key focus area for investors will be iPhone 14 pricing, BofA Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan said in a report.
News reports indicate that Apple plans to raise the price of its Pro models by $100. Customers for the high-end Pro models are less sensitive to price increases, Mohan said.
Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Series 8 could include a new body-temperature sensor and refreshed designs. Another possible product launch at the Sept. 7 event is the company's AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds.
On the stock market today, Apple stock fell 1.4% to close at 155.81.
Follow Patrick Seitz on Twitter at @IBD_PSeitz for more stories on consumer technology, software and semiconductor stocks.
