Apple’s 5G iPhone SE Will Boost Asia Appeal, Say Analysts

Apple Inc’s new low-cost 5G-enabled model will boost the iPhone maker’s appeal in Asia where it is in a stiff battle with rivals from Samsung to Vivo, analysts believe.

After focusing on high-end phones during the pandemic-induced supply chain crisis, Apple this week unveiled 5G connectivity for its iPhone SE – for $429 – which is likely to attract more lower-end buyers in emerging markets.

“The new 3rd gen iPhone SE could be effective in gaining incremental share among price sensitive consumers, especially in Asia,” Cowen and Company brokerage said, citing China and India in particular.

Counterpoint Research said the earlier 4G iPhone SE accounted for 12% of total iPhone sales from its launch in Q2 2020 until the end of 2021, with Japan the biggest market after the United States.

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“This time we expect demand to open up more across other markets like Europe, Southeast Asia and Korea – regions where many consumers stayed away because of the lack of 5G support [for the older SE],” Counterpoint Research analyst Sujeong Lim said.

The world’s most valuable company with a market capitalisation of around $2.6 trillion, Apple achieved its highest ever market share in China at the end of last year, surpassing Huawei to become the country’s best seller, according to Counterpoint.

Cowen and Company analyst Krish Sankar said the new small-screen 5G phone’s $30 price hike from the 4G version should cover most extra costs from the enhanced technology, though margins would be lower compared to the $699 iPhone 13 mini.

He estimated the iPhone SE would generate gross margin between 42%-54%, or roughly half the gross profit for each device compared with the iPhone 13 mini.

“We believe a renewed affordable iPhone SE line-up should buoy consumer interest in iPhones versus investor fears of sharp declines,” Citi analyst Jim Suva said.

Reuters with additional editing by Sean O’Meara

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Sean O'Meara

Sean O'Meara is an Editor at Asia Financial. He has been a newspaper man for more than 30 years, working at local, regional and national titles in the UK as a writer, sub-editor, page designer and print editor. A football, cricket and rugby fan, he has a particular interest in sports finance.