In keeping with Citi Analysis, Apple Inc. (AAPL, Financial) is planning to launch iOS 18.2 in December, introducing new good options that will affect the iPhone substitute cycle. Whereas the precise launch date is unclear, sources speculate it could possibly be December 9.
Citi maintains a purchase ranking on Apple with a goal value of $255. The financial institution anticipates that iPhone 17 updates will increase gross sales by the top of 2025 and into 2026. It forecasts iPhone gross sales of 227 million models in 2024, 246 million in 2025, and 253 million in 2026.
Analysts be aware that the staggered launch of Apple’s clever options differentiates the iPhone 16/17 improve cycle from earlier ones. The iOS 18.1 model, launched in late October, consists of restricted generative AI options and is barely out there in U.S. English. Apple’s AI options are anticipated to succeed in the EU by April subsequent yr, with no present launch date introduced for China as a result of ongoing regulatory processes.
Apple additionally plans to announce an upgraded Siri with bigger language capabilities in 2025, with full availability anticipated in 2026. Earlier within the yr, Apple launched Apple Intelligence at its developer convention, revealing plans to combine ChatGPT into Siri, which can debut with iOS 18.2.
Citi’s vacation client electronics survey signifies a minor improve in iPhone gross sales, with 48% of shoppers favoring iPhones in comparison with 46% the earlier yr. Nonetheless, curiosity within the high-end iPhone 16 fashions has dipped barely, with solely 19% of respondents , down from 21% for the iPhone 15.
