Apple's Recent Developments: iPhone 17 Leak, Tim Cook's Donation, and China’s Subsidies

The last week has been packed with significant updates for Apple Inc. (AAPL). From news about the iPhone 17 to CEO Tim Cook's notable donation to Donald Trump’s inauguration, the tech giant has captured attention for various reasons. In addition, China's new cellphone subsidies could present challenges, while the suspension of iPhone 14 and iPhone SE sales in the European Union raised questions. On the bright side, a positive forecast for Apple’s stock provides a glimmer of hope. Let's explore these stories.

iPhone 17 Display Upgrade

Recent leaks indicate that Apple is preparing to upgrade the display technology in its forthcoming iPhone 17 series. A Chinese leaker on Weibo, known as Digital Chat Station, has shared insights suggesting that the supply chain materials support rumors of a higher refresh rate for the standard iPhone 17. Although the precise refresh rate was not mentioned, earlier reports hint at the possibility of featuring a 120Hz ProMotion rate, which was previously exclusive to the Pro models.

Tim Cook’s $1 Million Donation

Apple's CEO Tim Cook reportedly made headlines for donating $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural committee. He joins other influential tech figures like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg in supporting the event. Cook's donation follows several discussions with Trump during the latter's first term and a recent dinner at Mar-a-Lago. Cook expresses the importance of the inauguration as an American tradition and aims to contribute to a spirit of unity.

China’s Smartphone Subsidies

China has announced plans to provide consumption subsidies that now include smartphones and other electronic devices, which could grant competitive advantages to homegrown companies like Huawei. This new trade-in program, which originally covered household appliances and vehicles, will now also apply to personal devices including phones, tablets, and smartwatches. This update was outlined during a briefing held last Friday.

Apple Halts Sales in EU

In a significant development, Apple has ceased sales of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and third-generation iPhone SE across various European Union countries. This action is a direct response to new EU regulations mandating USB-C ports for smartphones that support wired charging. The affected iPhone models have been pulled from Apple’s online store in several EU nations.

Bullish Prediction for Apple Stock

Amidst these developments, analyst Dan Ives from Wedbush is optimistic, predicting a 26% upside for Apple’s stock. Ives foresees a "golden era of growth" for Apple in Cupertino, driven by an AI-centric upgrade cycle for iPhones. He anticipates that AI advancements will provide a substantial boost to iPhone sales and has increased his price target for Apple to $325.

iPhone, donation, China, subsidies, sales, stock