Apple is reportedly plotting a major shakeup of its iPhone lineup as it looks to jump start the iconic smartphone’s sagging sales.The Cupertino, Calif.-based tech giant is “planning three straight years of major iPhone redesigns” – beginning with the rollout of the new “skinny” iPhone Air model this September and culminating in 2026 with the launch of a long-rumored foldable iPhone, Bloomberg reported.The Air version of the iPhone will be reminiscent of the Apple’s thinner, lighter laptop of the same name. ...

Market Trends & Analysis - The S&P 500 and NASDAQ both hit record highs driven by earnings optimism [1] - Foldable phones offer a larger screen, potentially up to 11 inches diagonally, rivaling some tablets, while also being more pocketable when folded [1] - Chinese consumers show strong interest in foldable phones due to established vendor presence and multimedia experience [2] - The US dollar index is underwater by approximately 05% year-to-date, indicating multi-year lows [10] - Ether cryptocurrency is nearing $4,000, testing multi-year range highs [15] Company Performance & Strategy - Apple is reportedly planning to release a foldable iPhone next year, aiming to leverage its marketing capabilities to dominate the market [1] - An IDC survey indicates that 21% of respondents are interested in purchasing a foldable iPhone [1] - Apple's foldable phone could be priced between $1,500 and $2,000, potentially starting at $1,800 to avoid overlapping with ultra-premium iPhone prices [2][3] - Google (Alphabet) is considered undervalued due to antitrust concerns, but its strong position in AI, particularly with Gemini, presents a favorable investment opportunity [22][25] - NXP Semiconductors anticipates an emerging cyclical improvement in its core markets, guiding its Q3 performance [34] Financial Results - Zions Bancorporation reported adjusted net interest income of $661 million in Q2, exceeding estimates, though total deposits missed expectations [35][36] - Steel Dynamics reported a miss on earnings estimates for Q2, with adjusted EBITDA falling short of expectations due to trade policy uncertainty and inventory overhang [36]

Yeah, we've been hearing about this for a number of years, Sarah. In fact, it like going back six or seven years that Apple was kind of dabbling in this idea of a foldable phone. The latest that we have though, I I'll refer to Mingchin Quo.He's that analyst over at TF International Securities. He's really tapped into the supply chain. He says this is going to go into mass production uh towards the back half of next year, so 2026, presumably for a fall or a holiday launch like that.And this is also coming, S ...

Product Development & Market Entry - Apple is reportedly considering launching a foldable iPhone as early as next year, aiming for a fall or holiday launch in 2026 [1][2] - The potential foldable iPhone launch is seen as a strategy to find the next growth driver, especially with Apple shares experiencing double-digit declines since January [1] - The foldable phone market is already established, with Samsung launching its latest version, priced at $2,000, indicating the high-end positioning of this technology [2][3] Pricing & Revenue Implications - A foldable iPhone could help Apple boost revenue amid slowing iPhone sales, but the unproven technology and high cost (potentially $2,000 or more) could be a barrier [4][6] - The high price point of foldable phones, exemplified by Samsung's $2,000 device, suggests Apple's version would likely be similarly expensive [3][6] - While the sticker price is high, consumers often use payment plans or trade-ins, mitigating the initial cost [7] Technology & Design - Apple has been exploring foldable phone concepts for six or seven years, with the technology now potentially mature enough for a viable product [1][3] - The improved design of foldable phones, such as Samsung's latest model, makes them more appealing and functional [3] - The foldable phone could potentially replace the need for both a phone and an iPad, offering a single device solution [6] Market Dynamics & Consumer Adoption - Foldable phones are popular in markets like Asia, particularly China, but their overall market share is still significantly lower than regular smartphones [5] - The technology has reached an inflection point where it is catching up to the ultimate vision, as seen with the Samsung device, suggesting Apple is nearing a similar stage [7][8]

Product Development - Apple's foldable iPhone launch will be unlike previous launches [1]

Investment & Capacity Expansion - Fine M-Tec announced an investment of approximately KRW 175 billion (approximately USD 13 million based on current exchange rates) to support the growing foldable device market and increased demand for ultra-precision laser processing capacity [1] - The investment period spans from July 17, 2025, to January 20, 2027 [1] Competitive Landscape & Market Dynamics - Apple's stricter crease-free requirements for the foldable iPhone are expected to accelerate the adoption of laser drilling for display metal plate production [1] - Samsung's new 2H26 Galaxy Z Fold 8 will also adopt higher-ASP laser-drilled display metal plates to better compete with the foldable iPhone [2] Supplier Relationships & Revenue Implications - Fine M-Tec will serve as the exclusive supplier for Samsung's Fold 8 (vs primary supplier for Fold 7), suggesting a significant increase in ASP and profit contribution from Samsung in 2026 [2] - Additional investments related to the foldable iPhone are expected from Fine M-Tec [3]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the **China Technology & Communications** sector, particularly the impacts of recent US tariffs and China's retaliatory measures on various companies within the tech supply chain, including **Apple**, **Nvidia**, and **Xiaomi** [1][2]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Tariff Impact on Supply Chains**: - Investors discussed the implications of US tariffs on the Apple and Nvidia supply chains, noting that most iPhones for the US market will be shipped from India, while other iOS devices will come from Vietnam [2]. - The Apple supply chain is expected to see a pull-in effect for Q2 2025 results, supporting fundamentals [2]. 2. **China's Retaliatory Tariffs**: - China announced a 34% retaliatory tariff on all US imports, which was later increased to 125%. This is expected to disadvantage US Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDMs) like Intel and Texas Instruments, while benefiting domestic Chinese semiconductor companies [2]. 3. **Localization of Semiconductors**: - There are doubts about the speed of localization in the semiconductor industry, particularly in automotive and industrial sectors. However, consumer electronics are seen as more easily replaceable [2]. 4. **AI Development and Investment Sentiment**: - Investor interest in the AI supply chain has declined, particularly due to the H20 ban affecting China’s AI capital expenditures. The sentiment around AI hardware is mixed, with upstream components like PCBs expected to perform better than downstream infrastructure plays [4]. 5. **Xiaomi's Position**: - Despite concerns over a recent car crash incident, foreign investors remain optimistic about Xiaomi, viewing it as a key pick due to its lack of US tariff exposure and solid earnings from its core business [5]. 6. **Smartphone Market Dynamics**: - There are doubts regarding the launch schedule of the foldable iPhone, but visibility is improving for a potential launch in the second half of 2026. The supply chain is expected to receive requests for information (RFI) soon [6]. 7. **Software Sector Interest**: - European investors are showing more interest in Chinese software companies compared to US investors, with **Kingdee** highlighted as having strong fundamentals and AI monetization opportunities [6]. Other Important Insights - **Investor Sentiment**: There is a noticeable shift in investor sentiment towards China tech, with European investors being more positive about AI monetization and long-term opportunities compared to their US counterparts [1]. - **Stock Picks**: Key stock picks mentioned include **Cowell**, **AAC Technologies**, **Will Semi**, and **Sunny Optical**, with varying degrees of earnings visibility and exposure to US tariffs [2][5][6]. - **Upcoming Events**: Important upcoming events include the Computex 2025 and the 618 shopping festival, which could serve as catalysts for the tech sector [7]. This summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights from the conference call, highlighting the current landscape and future outlook for the China Technology & Communications sector.