Some analysts have been calling for the iPhone to experience a supercycle this year. That occurs when many iPhone owners who have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the perfect time to upgrade finally decide to replace their old iPhone with a new model. Typically, there is a catalyst that sets off the supercycle and this year it would seem to be obvious that Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI initiative, would drive upgrade sales.
Part of the reason for doubting that we will see an iPhone supercycle with the iPhone 16 series has to do with the macroeconomic headwinds impacting global smartphone demand. Even in China, the world’s largest smartphone market, sales of handsets have been sluggish. As for the new iPhone models, a supercycle is not going to occur just because the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will have slightly larger screens (6.3-inch and 6.9-inch, respectively).
Apple Intelligence might not be the catalyst for getting iPhone owners to upgrade to a new model
The ability to summarize websites and emails could save you time, but will it be a catalyst getting you to upgrade? | Image creidt-PhoneArena
That update could also include the ChatGPT chatbot. The Image Playground, the AI feature that allows users to create images for Messages, Notes, Keynote, Pages, and other apps, is also expected to surface with iOS 18.2. ChastGPT’s integration with Siri, which is something we’ve all been looking forward to, will occur sometime next year.
Gurman says that we could end up seeing an iPhone supercycle next year
So the only new features that are left include the Capture button which will be on all iPhone 16 models and will allow users to zoom in or zoom out, focus the camera, and snap a picture or start video recording. The Action button, which debuted on the iPhone 15 Pro line last year, will be found on all iPhone 16 devices. The button activates a pre-selected task with the touch of a button. And neither button is enough to set off a supercycle.
