In 2017, Apple introduced the biggest update to the iPhone, marking a significant shift in its design and user interface. The company abandoned the home button in the middle of the screen and the surrounding bezels, opting instead for what later became known as the “screen notch.” This change led to a dramatic redesign of the iPhone, both in terms of its physical appearance and how users interacted with it, as the interface was significantly altered to accommodate the new notch and the new way of using the device.
Since that pivotal moment in 2017, Apple has kept updates to its devices minimal, avoiding any radical changes to the iPhone. Typically, there are only one or two noticeable differences between each generation of iPhones and the previous one, despite the company’s marketing efforts to highlight more distinctions between successive generations. This September, Apple is set to launch its latest iPhone lineup, numbered 16, as part of its annual release cycle. As usual, Apple will introduce four different models, ranging from the “iPhone 16” to the “iPhone 16 Pro Max.”
With this generation, Apple is introducing its own artificial intelligence features. The question remains: will these new features break the cycle of repetition that Apple has seemingly fallen into, or will the difference once again be limited to just one aspect?
Why Apple Sticks to Incremental Updates: The Strategy Behind Minimal iPhone Changes
Apple critics argue that the company follows this approach due to a lack of creativity and new ideas. However, the truth is not about Apple’s creativity or the presence of innovations. Instead, Apple meticulously plans each step to ensure its phones align with the company’s marketing strategy and overall policy.
Apple ensures user loyalty by providing incremental updates between each generation. The company doesn’t target users who have the latest or previous model but instead encourages users to upgrade their phones every 5 to 6 years. Significant differences between iPhone models become apparent after several generations, such as when comparing the iPhone 10 to the iPhone 15 Pro.
This philosophy is evident in the software support that iPhones receive, which typically extends for an average of 6 years from the phone’s initial release. Unlike Android manufacturers, who often rely on users upgrading their phones annually, Apple does not pursue this strategy.
On the surface, this policy might seem counterproductive to profits and sales, even repulsive to some. However, in reality, it ensures user loyalty. This approach makes users feel that the iPhone’s life cycle is superior to that of Android devices.
What Surprises Does the iPhone 16 Have in Store? Unveiling the Next Big Thing from Apple
Apple announced iOS 18, its main operating system, at its annual developer conference last June. This version is notable for introducing new artificial intelligence features from the company.
However, these features will not be exclusive to the iPhone 16. They will also extend to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. While the iPhone 16 may benefit from these features working more efficiently, they are not a major incentive for upgrading to the new generation of phones, as they are also available on the previous generation.
The new features in the iPhone 16 are primarily limited to the “Pro” and “Pro Max” versions. These models include an additional button designed for easy and smooth photo and video capture. Other differences include a slight increase in screen size, reaching 0.2 inches more than previous generations, and potential improvements in battery performance and overall phone efficiency, thanks to the new processor.
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus come with the custom command button that appeared last year in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, with only a change in the design of the rear camera, which makes the phone look like a copy of the iPhone 15 Pro if it weren’t for the different cameras. Apple intends to launch a new generation of the economical iPhone SE in early 2025, and the phone will be similar in design to the usual iPhone 14 phones with a large notch and the use of OLED screens, in addition to the advantages of artificial intelligence as well, and this economic phone may be more suitable for purchase than other phones.
iPhone 17: What Surprises Await?
In the latest issue of Bloomberg’s Power On newsletter, written by Apple expert Mark Gurman, information about the next generation of iPhone, numbered 17, appeared..
According to Gorman’s comments, the upcoming generation will feature a major difference from previous Apple phones. This change comes after a 5-year cycle since the current design was introduced. Gorman anticipates that Apple will replace the “Plus” size with a new, slim model similar to the “MacBook Air.”
The introduction of this new model is expected to significantly boost Apple’s sales by offering a real departure from previous generations of phones. The company is likely to implement a range of radical changes to the phone’s design and screen, making it more modern and competitive for the coming years.
Looking ahead to 2025, Apple is also set to unveil a “foldable iPad” instead of a foldable phone. Offering a foldable version of the “iPad Pro” seems more logical to users and aligns with the company’s policy.
While Gorman’s leaks are often accurate, Apple may still surprise us with a new and unexpected approach. We will have to wait to see what the next generation of Apple’s phones has in store.
More tech news Click here
