TrendForce: iPhone 4S Targeting both Mature and Emerging Markets, Total iPhone Series Sales Projected to Exceed 100 Million

Apple’s next-generation iPhone 4S was launched at 10:00 a.m. (PST) on October 4th.  Instead of the highly anticipated iPhone 5, iPhone 4S maintains the external design and size of its predecessor, iPhone 4. However, iPhone 4S does offering an upgrade with significant increase in speed and camera features.

In terms of marketing strategy, iPhone 4S revolutionizes its sales model, throwing away the exclusive telecom provider partnership into the past. This time, three major telecom providers in both North America (AT&T, Sprint and Verizon) and Japan (KDDI, SoftBank and AU) are all authorized to sell this new generation iPhone with with phone and data plan packages. TrendForce believes that this strategy will strengthen and solidify iPhone product lines’ market share in 2012.

In addition to increased sales from the new and improved iPhone, TrendForce analysts believe that the price cuts on the older iPhone models will also help Apple. With the iPhone 4 8GB and the iPhone 3GS both offered at an entry-level price of US$99 (with contract), Apple’s overall market share is likely to be boosted significantly.

In terms internal specifications, the new iPhone is equipped with high-capacity NAND Flash, which offers a leap in speed from iPhone 4. TrendForce ’s survey indicates that iPhone series shipment in 2012 may surpass 100 million, propelling a significant growth in the NAND Flash market in 2012.

iPhone Series Shipment Forecast
 
Source: TrendForce

Last but not least, the iPhone 4S’ upgraded camera should not be overlooked. The new camera is capable of recording 1080 pixel, HD video at 30 frames per second, closing in on standard digital camera specifications. With a CMOS sensor from Omnivision, it looks like the iPhone is set to continue cannibalizing consumer camera sales.

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