Benzingaยท2025-09-14 07:36Group 1: Product Launch and Demand - The entry-level iPhone 17 model has dominated pre-orders on JD.com in China, with the 256GB configuration receiving the most orders among all new models [1] - The iPhone 17 is priced at $799, the same as the iPhone 16, and features upgrades such as a 6.3-inch screen, 120Hz ProMotion support, and double the base storage at 256GB [3] - The iPhone's display improvements bring the base model closer to pro specifications, which may attract consumers who previously opted for premium tiers [3] Group 2: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Bank of America Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan raised Apple's price target from $260 to $270, citing stronger health and AI integration in the iPhone 17 lineup, and increased fiscal 2026 revenue estimates to $448 billion and EPS to $8.05 [4] - Rosenblatt analyst Barton Crockett increased Apple's target from $223 to $241, highlighting stronger battery life and upgraded 48MP cameras [5] - Goldman Sachs maintained a $266 target, noting that the elimination of 128GB storage tiers effectively raises average selling prices by $100 [5] Group 3: Market Position and Financial Performance - Apple holds a 25.71% share of the global smartphone market, significantly ahead of Samsung's 20.96%, and dominates the U.S. market with a 57.24% share compared to Samsung's 22.25% [6] - iPhone revenue for the third quarter rose to $44.58 billion, up from $39.3 billion the previous year, underscoring the iPhone as a key growth driver for Apple [6] Group 4: Stock Performance - Apple's stock closed at $234.07, up 1.76%, but slightly decreased to $233.99 in after-hours trading [7] - Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate a positive price trend for AAPL across all time frames [7]