Dependable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities is in the present day out with a pair of recent investor notes on Apple. The analyst presents new provide chain particulars on the new iPhones coming this year, AirPods demand, and extra. Kuo additionally says Apple is planning a extra reasonably priced 13-inch MacBook Air for this yr…
Kuo says that he expects Apple to launch a brand new MacBook Air “with a lower cost tag” throughout the second quarter of 2018, which means we should always see it sooner quite than later. The analyst expects that the extra reasonably priced MacBook Air will assist push MacBook shipments up by 10-15 p.c this yr.
Particulars on the brand new MacBook Air are sparse, however this report from KGI corroborates a equally obscure report from Digitimes earlier this yr. The MacBook Air line has been largely stagnate lately as Apple has shifted focus in the direction of the 12-inch MacBook and MacBook Professional.
At present, Apple sells the 13-inch MacBook Air beginning at $999, and KGI appears to assume it can get even cheaper this yr. Regardless of its neglect by Apple, the MacBook Air stays a well-liked selection for faculty college students.
The investor notes additionally presents some further particulars on provide chain reactions to the upcoming iPhone refreshes, the rising success of AirPods and extra. Kuo says that KGI is “optimistic” on shipments of AirPods and predicts the refreshed model will come within the second half of the yr, driving robust yr over yr progress.
As for the brand new iPhones coming this yr, Kuo primarily focuses on the entry-level 6.1-inch mannequin, saying it can make for a robust yr for suppliers similar to Unimicron, in addition to Apple companions Wistron and Pegatron.
Kuo additionally notes that demand for HomePod has been “mediocre” to this point. Total, the analyst says he holds a “impartial” view of demand for the good speaker primarily based on “delivery time.” Kuo doesn’t provide any more information on HomePod shipments or provide chain chatter.
What do you make of Kuo’s newest report? Would you be considering a extra reasonably priced 13-inch MacBook Air? Tell us down within the feedback.
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