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These are the features that the iPhone 9 is rumoured to have
Apple Inc. is already planning iPhone 9, even as it has yet to release the iPhone 8 that will mark the 10th anniversary of the iPhone product line,
The iPhone 9, apparently, will help the tech giant affirm its competitive edge in the tech industry.
iPhone 9 features
Source: Shutterstock
Apple will reportedly launch two models of the device come September next year, featuring OLED screens at 5.28 inches and 6.46 inches. Samsung will supply 80 million displays for iPhone 8 as well as iPhone 9 come next year.
Reports also indicate that the company may jettison the iconic Home Button from the front to allow for high-resolution display and embed the fingerprint scanner technology into the glass display. The device also looks set to include Optical Image Stabilization for both lens used in the dual camera set up.
Apple Inc. has reportedly reached out to LG to be the exclusive battery supplier for iPhone 9. If true, it would mark a surprise change of tactic on the way the iPhone maker sources parts for its best-selling device.
The tech giant is known for using a multi-vendor approach when it comes to acquiring parts for the iPhone product line. The strategy has always helped it secure favourable pricing for iPhone parts while offering hedge against production delays from one supplier.
It appears that the company might have been swayed by the massive investment by LG Chemical on its battery technology.
“The battery that LG Chemical will supply to the iPhone 9 is an “L-shape” battery, which is bent to the right at the bottom. Apple has customized it to take advantage of the space on the bottom right of the iPhone that has evolved from the development of electronic component integration technology,” one source is quoted as saying.
There is already talk that Apple is planning to debut iPhone 8 with an L-shaped battery. The technology according to observers allows for an increase in battery capacity without an increase in a phone’s footprint. Should the battery design not find its way in the upcoming flagship device then it should make its way into iPhone 9 as Apple continues to polish its most important product.
Threat from competitors
Samsung will also play a big role in the production of iPhone 9 as ties between the two techs giants continue to grow. According to the Korea Herald, Apple will rely on the Korean company for chips to power the device. The deal was reportedly inked after the Korean hardware giant bought an advanced chip manufacturing equipment for exclusive iPhone chips.
Talk of iPhone 9 development even before iPhone 8 hit the stores just shows how Apple remains focused on affirming its position in the tech space. Apple designs its products years ahead given that is the only way it can be able to stay in front of competition in the race for consumers dollars.
iPhone 8 is already expected to be extremely different from previous models as the tech giant looks to reverse a decline in sales in its most important product. Stiff competition on smartphone sales means the company will have to go to extreme lengths if it is to ship as many products as possible at a price tag of US$1,100 for iPhone 8.
Accelerating in the Auto Industry
In other areas, Apple is aggressively expanding into new areas of growth in pursuit of new opportunities for growth. The company has embarked on a diversification drive in pursuit of new opportunities of growth beyond its core business.
A decade of robust growth fueled by the iPhone product line is under threat as other handset makers continue to explore ways of undercutting the tech giant. The auto industry is one of the sectors that the tech giant is closely eyeing as it looks to sustain its growth momentum.
The reason why Apple is expanding into the auto industry is that the car of the future will resemble an electronic device. The market of self-driving cars will also be big enough to add to the company’s net sales of US$215 billion reported last year. Initial estimates indicate that autonomous vehicle sales could reach highs of US$42 billion by 2025 and US$77 billion by 2035.
Dabbling in Augmented Reality
Apple is also making a push into augmented reality space further affirming its commitment to remaining innovative in the tech space. The success of Pokémon Go has brought to light the role that the emerging technology spectacle could play in the race for consumer’s dollars. Apple Inc becoming a key player in Augmented Reality would go a long way in creating a new revenue stream needed to supplement existing streams.
Apple’s rise to become one of the most valuable companies in the world did not happen overnight. In the mid 90’s the company was ranked in the 400’s in the Fortune 500 companies list. The company disappeared from the list before appearing back in 2005 on the launch of the iPod.
The climb to the top spot has come on the back of massive investments, some of which have paid off, some of which have fizzled out. As long as people continue to yearn for luxury products like smartphones, AR headsets or cars, Apple should continue generating significant returns on its investments.
(By Neha Gupta)
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