Apple's (AAPL 2.15%) iPhone 13 has arrived, and the initial reactions to the smartphone giant's latest and greatest device don't appear all that optimistic. Apple added the usual suite of upgrades to its latest iPhone models, packing in a better screen, faster processor, superior camera system, and bigger battery, among others. But the absence of any "pathbreaking" features has given birth to several memes on the internet, with some expressing disappointment at the lack of any substantial innovation.
However, I think the iPhone 13 could turn out to be more successful than the iPhone 12, which was a runaway hit last year thanks to aggressive pricing and the addition of 5G.
Let's see why that may be the case.
Image source: Getty Images.
The iPhone 13 can continue the iPhone 12's terrific sales momentum
The iPhone 12 helped Apple become a dominant player in the 5G smartphone market. Strategy Analytics estimates that Apple held 29% of the 5G smartphone market thanks to the iPhone 12. The new iPhone models are expected to push that market share up to 40% as more consumers are expected to make the switch to Apple's 5G offerings.
That won't be surprising, as out of Apple's huge installed base of nearly 1.1 billion iPhones, less than 1% have a 5G-enabled device, at least according to a third-party research estimate. The iPhone 12 crossed 100 million units in less than seven months of its launch, and the iPhone 13 can carry forward that momentum since it is likely to appeal to those customers who have held off upgrading to a 5G device so far.
Apple has increased the storage of the base iPhone 13 models to 128 GB (gigabytes), which now start at $699 for the mini version and $799 for the 6.1-inch version, removing the 64 GB option altogether. While that's $100 higher than the price of the base models of the iPhone 12, the new prices are almost in line with the industry standard. The average selling price of a 5G smartphone stands at $634 as per IDC's estimate.
Throw in upgrades such as more 5G wireless bands for better connectivity and Apple's claims that the iPhone 13 models can last 1.5 to 2.5 hours more than the iPhone 12, and it becomes easy to see why those who haven't jumped on to the 5G bandwagon would take the plunge this time. Additionally, Apple points out that the increased number of 5G bands on the iPhone 13 will help it double its 5G support to more than 200 carriers spread across 60 countries.
All of this indicates that Apple is all set to bring more 5G users into its fold with the iPhone 13 given the improvements it has brought to the table. There may not be any eye-popping changes to this year's device, but it is likely to continue the impressive sales growth triggered by the iPhone 12 because of a huge installed base of users that are in an upgrade window.
Apple's 5G dominance will get a shot in the arm
Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives estimates that there are 250 million iPhone users with a device that's at least three years old. Also, we saw earlier that the number of customers without a 5G iPhone is even higher.
As a result, it is not surprising to see why Apple's sales in 2022 are expected to be better, as per Credit Suisse estimates. The investment bank expects Apple to move 237 million units next year as compared to an estimated 234 million in 2021. In 2023, iPhone shipments are expected to jump to 249 million units.
More importantly, Apple's shipment growth in the 5G era can continue beyond the next two years as global 5G mobile subscriptions are expected to hit 3.36 billion in 2026, up from an estimated 569 million this year, as per Ericsson. This massive growth will be driven by 5G network rollouts in more markets in Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
So, if Apple continues to hold a strong 5G market share on account of its massive installed base and a budget-friendly device that could appeal to a wider audience in price-conscious markets, it can keep winning big in 5G smartphones in the long run. The iPhone 13 will play an important role in that regard, as it can encourage upgrades and bring more users into the Apple ecosystem because of the improvements it packs. That's a solid reason why investors should continue holding this 5G stock, as it now has a new growth driver to count on.
