iPhone挤爆牙膏，苹果用自研换利润

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses Apple's recent product launches, particularly the iPhone 17 series and the new iPhone Air, highlighting the company's shift towards self-developed components to reduce costs and increase profitability while facing challenges in the smartphone market [5][19]. Product Launches - The iPhone 17 series features significant upgrades, including a screen refresh rate increase from 60Hz to 120Hz and a camera configuration of "3x 48MP + 1x 24MP" [6]. - The iPhone Air, priced at 7999 yuan, fills a market gap for a lightweight model with a single camera and small battery, boasting the highest self-developed component ratio among Apple's devices [6][9]. Self-Developed Components - The iPhone 16e has a record 40% of its BOM cost attributed to self-developed parts, up from 29% in the iPhone 16, largely due to the introduction of Apple's first self-developed 5G baseband chip, C1 [9]. - The iPhone Air is expected to surpass the iPhone 16e in self-developed component ratio, featuring the successor to the C1 chip, C1X, and the self-developed Wi-Fi chip N1 [9][15]. Market Challenges - Apple's smartphone business is showing signs of fatigue, with a 0.9% decline in sales while the global smartphone market is expected to grow by 7% in 2024 [16]. - The company has missed opportunities in the foldable smartphone market, which saw a 25% increase in shipments in 2023, and has been criticized for insufficient investment in AI technologies [16][18]. Cost Reduction Strategy - The introduction of self-developed components is part of Apple's strategy to reduce costs and maintain profit margins, with the self-developed baseband chip C1 expected to save $10 per unit for the iPhone 16e [18]. - The iPhone Air is projected to offer even greater cost savings, potentially increasing profit margins significantly compared to the standard iPhone 17 [18]. Future Developments - If the iPhone Air gains market acceptance, Apple's self-developed baseband chip technology is likely to be integrated into other models, with plans for the successor to C1X to debut in the iPhone 18 series [19][20]. - Apple is also exploring self-development of other components, such as CMOS sensors and ISP, to further enhance its product offerings and reduce reliance on third-party suppliers [20].