Apple's iPhone sales might not rebound until late 2020, analysts say

by Joshua Swingle / Jan 29, 2019, 7:19 AM

Apple's iPhone sales might not rebound until late 2020, analysts say

While Apple has been having a pretty tough time lately, many analysts believe iPhone sales will start to pick up again in the second half of 2019. UBS analysts, however, are much less optimistic about the whole situation.

In an analyst note seen by Business Insider, UBS noted that Apple “hit a wall” last quarter trying to sell iPhones to consumers and, despite efforts to boost sales through trade-in promotions, the issues have likely been “carried over into the current quarter.” In fact, UBS warns that the issues could affect Apple’s performance throughout the rest of the year until new models are introduced in the fall.

The 2019 lineup, which may sport a smaller notch and a new rear design, should see flat sales versus the current-gen 2018 iPhone series. Sales in China may improve slightly – iPhone revenue is expected to total $141 billion during fiscal 2020, up slightly from the $136 billion forecast set for fiscal 2019 – but the damage has already been done, it’s claimed.

Looking towards the 2020 iPhone lineup and fiscal 2021, UBS does believe iPhone sales could bounce back by a significant margin as it could be the “next big phone cycle.” However, this prediction is largely based on the expectation of a 5G iPhone and potentially a foldable device from the company.

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12 Comments

1. Vancetastic

Posts: 1097; Member since: May 17, 2017

Do analysts get paid well? Seems like a sweet gig.

posted on Jan 29, 2019, 7:32 AM 1

2. notfair

Posts: 719; Member since: Jan 30, 2017

analysts are a bunch of liars who lie in order to keep stocks high or low. the sales apple had will never EVER return unless they cut a lot the prices which they won't because of shareholders and their greed.

posted on Jan 29, 2019, 7:35 AM 3

4. SIGPRO

Posts: 2815; Member since: Oct 03, 2012

True, analists are a bunch of greedy idiots! Everybody can predict something, but indeed fruit company can only sell a lot if they lower the prices. The prices are too high and not justified, they are greedy. People are sick and tired of boring expensive fruit products!

posted on Jan 29, 2019, 7:41 AM 4

10. lyndon420

Posts: 6725; Member since: Jul 11, 2012

Like weathermen. Can only think of a couple jobs where you can be wrong most of the time and still be employed.

posted on Jan 29, 2019, 11:58 AM 1

3. bucknassty

Posts: 1325; Member since: Mar 24, 2017

the problem is the price, duh. when the x came out, it was cool and different worth the experimental 1000$. but what is the motivation for the xs and xs plus? apple just needs to find a software companion that makes the regular joe really NEED this phone phones technology are plateauing... and it shows when people dont even know how to back up their phones when trading in... it sounds crazy, but the crazy part is seeing just how common it is

posted on Jan 29, 2019, 7:37 AM 0

5. scarface21173

Posts: 658; Member since: Aug 17, 2014

Its a lot worse than people think, apple dont just reduce products like they are at the minute. They will paper over the cracks with there jargon tomorrow. There is a storm coming.

posted on Jan 29, 2019, 8:15 AM 2

6. mootu

Posts: 1500; Member since: Mar 16, 2017

I don't think it's that bad $84 billion for the quarter is still huge. What we are seeing is Apple trying to keep their fickle investors happy and stop them panicing. If investors don't see growth they tend to throw a wobbly. Any company earning $84 billion in a quarter is doing well and as much as i detest Apples business practices i think they will be just fine. It's actually a good thing for Apple if the stock price drops as they are still on a buyback mission and they get to purchace those shares at a cheaper price.

posted on Jan 29, 2019, 8:41 AM 1

7. PhoneCritic

Posts: 1354; Member since: Oct 05, 2011

It looks like it will actually get worst for Apple in China as the Sino-US relation is about to deteriorate a lot faster then we though because of the indictment charges against Huawei by the FBI and Justice department. This may have the effect of the Chinese Authorities coming down hard on Apple or even kicking them out of China if the Trade war escalates any further. Not a good thing for Apple. This is going to hurt tremendously.

posted on Jan 29, 2019, 8:58 AM 1

8. Cat97

Posts: 1859; Member since: Mar 02, 2017

Apple sales will never rebound as long as they keep these prices.

posted on Jan 29, 2019, 10:34 AM 1

9. greathero1

Posts: 584; Member since: Jun 13, 2008

Their sales are never going to rebound to what they were. This problem is not exclusive to Apple but the smartphone market in general. People are holding on to their devices longer because no manufacturer is giving the consumer a reason to upgrade on a yearly basis. Factor in how well Apple supports older models with updates and it just makes it very difficult to pull the trigger on a $1000 device every year. Those days are long gone for me and I do not plan on upgrading my iPhone until next year.