iPhone 5S, Apple Television delayed, but iWatch to launch this year, says analyst
- 13 March, 2013 19:12
An analyst is predicting that the Apple television won't launch until next year and that the next iPhone will be delayed due to issues with production.
However, Jeffries analyst Peter Misek also said his checks indicate a greater than 50 percent chance that Apple will launch an iWatch this year. He says it will have a 1in screen and a $200, reports Cnet.
Misek believed that production of the iPhone 5S was due to begin in March, with a June or July date in mind for launch. However, he now claims that the next iPhone could be delayed until September due to supplier issues with the new colour cases.
Misek believes that this model will be positioned as a budget iPhone for emerging markets, but it is likely to sell for $450 due to its high specs. He had previously suggested that the low-cost iPhone should sell for $250 to $350.
Misek also notes that Apple is likely to experience slow sales after the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4 this Thursday.
Misek compares Apple to HTC and Blackberry noting that: "Historically when handset makers fall out of favor (eg the RAZR, BBRY, HTC) they fall faster/further than expected," writes Street Insider.
The new iPhone is expected to have the following features:
Range of colour options, including pink and blueSuper HD camera with a 13-megapixel sensorNFC chipApple A7 quad-core processor
Apple Television launch delay
Misek has also lost his confidence in his claims that Apple will launch a television this year. In a note to investors he said that he had expected an Apple TV event in March, and a launch in September or October. He now believes the launch will happen next year. The reason for the 'delay' appears to be that Apple wants to a 4K/Ultra HD-style display without the high cost.
Misek wrote: "We had thought that Apple's software and ecosystem would be enough to drive demand but our checks indicate that Apple wants the hardware to also stand out. We believe Apple wants a display that looks like 4K/Ultra HD but without the super-premium cost."
Misek is the analyst who predicated an Apple TV event this March, and an iTV launch in September. Cult of Mac notes Misek's 'long and comical history of making some crazy claims about Apple's future plans' including predicting in March 2012 that an Apple HD (called the iPanel) would launch in Q4 2012. He even claimed that Apple would release their television at WWDC last year.
Misek has cut his guidance on AAPL, reducing his price target from $500 to $420. In September last year, Misek had a price target of $900 for Apple.
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