苹果(AAPL.US)重返全球智能手机第一！Wedbush继续看多：四大利好因素支撑，今年有望涨35%

Core Viewpoint - Wedbush maintains an "outperform" rating for Apple (AAPL.US) with a target price of $350, indicating a potential upside of approximately 35% from last Friday's closing price, while highlighting four key areas of focus for the stock to reach this target by 2026 [1] Market Position and Performance - According to Counterpoint Research, Apple is projected to lead the global smartphone market in 2025 with a market share of 20% and a year-over-year shipment growth of 10%, surpassing Samsung for the first time in years [1][4] - Samsung is expected to hold a 19% market share with a 5% year-over-year growth rate in 2025, while Xiaomi and Vivo follow with 13% and 10% market shares, respectively [1] - In Q4, Apple accounted for one-quarter of global smartphone shipments, achieving a historic high, while Samsung held a 17% share [1] Strategic Focus for 2026 - Analysts from Wedbush emphasize that 2026 will be a pivotal year for Apple, requiring the execution of four strategic initiatives that could potentially increase the stock price by about $100 [2] - The partnership with Google's Gemini is seen as a crucial element of Apple's AI strategy, with expectations for a formal collaboration in the AI space [2] Product Development and Market Trends - The anticipated launch of an upgraded AI-driven Siri is expected in March/April, aimed at competing with AI models like OpenAI's ChatGPT [3] - The iPhone 17 series has seen significant market success, contributing to Apple's growth in emerging markets, with expectations for continued strong performance leading into the iPhone 18 launch [4] Pricing and Supply Chain Considerations - Analysts predict an increase in average selling prices (ASP) for the iPhone 18 models, potentially rising by about $100 due to global production cost increases [5] - The global smartphone market is expected to slow down in 2026 due to rising component costs and supply shortages, although Apple and Samsung are likely to maintain resilience due to their strong supply chains [5] Leadership and Strategic Direction - There are increasing speculations about CEO Tim Cook's potential departure, but analysts believe he will remain in his position until at least the end of 2027, as this period is critical for executing Apple's AI strategy [5]