Will Apple’s iPhone 17 Launch Be a ‘Promote-the-Information’ Occasion for Buyers?

Apple seems to have misplaced extra AI expertise, fueling worries about its progress with the rising know-how. Wall Road would not count on its iPhone 17 launch subsequent week to alter that, and a few assume any enthusiasm for the occasion might imply an opportunity to promote the inventory.

Apple’s (AAPL) lead AI researcher for robotics, Jian Zhang, has left the corporate to affix Meta (META), Bloomberg reported Tuesday. That might mark the newest in a string of exits, bringing the tally of current strikes from the corporate’s Basis Fashions workforce—chargeable for Apple Intelligence, the AI system constructed into its gadgets—to some 10 members, the report mentioned. (Apple and Meta didn’t reply to requests for remark in time for publication.)

The report strengthened some buyers’ concern that the iPhone maker lags friends within the house. The Apple iPhone 17 launch occasion, set for subsequent week, won’t repair that impression. 

The corporate has mentioned the occasion, set to kick off Monday at 7 a.m. ET, might be “awe dropping.” (You can watch the streamed occasion right here.) Analysts have steered it might deal with enhancements that would not change the corporate’s AI trajectory.

Apple’s Inventory Lifted by Google Antitrust Ruling

Financial institution of America analysts informed purchasers final week that they’re going to be looking out for brand spanking new AI enhancements, however that buyers’ expectations are pretty muted forward of what might be a “sell-the-news” occasion, anticipating largely form-factor enhancements comparable to a thinner cellphone with a greater entrance digicam, and an up to date Apple Watch portfolio.

Goldman Sachs and Citi analysts echoed these sentiments, with Citi suggesting product launches subsequent 12 months might drive stronger demand, after a sequence of delays in extremely anticipated options like an AI-enhanced Siri.

On the firm’s builders convention in June, Senior Vice President of Software program Engineering Craig Federighi mentioned the AI Siri options “want extra time to succeed in our prime quality bar,” and that extra data could be launched “within the coming 12 months” following studies they is probably not accessible till 2026.

The iPhone maker had beforehand steered they’d develop into accessible earlier this spring, after teasing them at its builders convention final 12 months, the place it unveiled its Apple Intelligence. On the time, Apple’s inventory surged on pleasure about Apple’s AI story, however that early AI momentum has pale whereas buyers anticipate extra indicators of progress—or an acquisition, after CEO Tim Cook dinner lately informed buyers Apple would contemplate shopping for different corporations to spice up its AI capabilities.

Bloomberg reported late Wednesday that Apple is at the moment engaged on creating a brand new AI-powered system known as “World Information Solutions” for launch subsequent 12 months, with plans to combine it into Siri as a part of the delayed revamp, together with its Safari web browser, amongst different issues. Apple didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

Apple’s inventory completed Wednesday up practically 4% on the heels of a favorable antitrust ruling for Google that may enable the iPhone maker to proceed receiving funds for preloading Google search merchandise in Apple gadgets. It is misplaced roughly 5% this 12 months thus far, making it the one member of the Magnificent Seven within the purple for 2025 in addition to Tesla (TSLA).

This text has been up to date because it was first revealed to incorporate extra data.