Apple faces correction risk as weak iPhone demand offsets product upgrades

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Apple faces pressure despite product upgrades

Indian sales slump raises concerns over iPhone shipments

An additional negative factor has been reports of a sharp decline in iPhone sales in India, one of Apple's most promising markets. According to Moneycontrol, citing retailers and IDC analysts, the company's smartphone sales during the festive period around Dussehra fell by as much as 30% year over year in certain segments.

The main reasons were higher prices, reduced traditional festive discounts and financing programs, and longer replacement cycles for older devices. Analysts also expect a double-digit decline in iPhone shipments in India in 2026, following a record 14.3 million units in 2025.

Additional pressure comes from the absence of the base iPhone 18 model, which is not expected to arrive until early 2027, potentially shifting some purchases into the next quarter. Despite weakness in the mass-market segment, demand for premium devices remains relatively resilient: the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are facing limited availability, while initial iPhone Duo shipments proved insufficient to meet buyer interest. However, this divergence is a reason for caution among investors, as strong sales of expensive models do not guarantee an increase in total shipment volumes.

M6 MacBook Pro expansion faces cost pressures

Against this backdrop, Apple continues to update its computer lineup, expanding the use of its proprietary M6 processors. The company is preparing new 14-inch MacBook Pro models powered by the M6, with an official presentation expected as part of its October device refresh. The new processor, previously introduced for the Mac mini, uses a 2-nanometer manufacturing process and is designed to improve performance, energy efficiency, and accelerate on-device artificial intelligence computing.

The expansion of the MacBook Pro lineup should support interest from corporate customers and professional users, although the financial impact will depend on the pricing of new configurations and buyers' willingness to upgrade their devices. Additional uncertainty comes from rising DRAM and NAND prices, driven by growing demand from AI data centers.

Higher memory prices increase the production costs of computers and smartphones, limiting Apple's ability to maintain profitability without raising retail prices. As a result, the company faces the challenge of simultaneously stimulating demand and maintaining high margins, which becomes particularly difficult amid weakening consumer activity in certain international markets.

$340–330 support zone remains crucial for bulls

At this stage, AAPL has retreated to around $342, primarily reflecting profit-taking on long positions rather than a trend reversal. As part of the correction, the price could enter the $340–330 support zone, where, as stated in Apple faces key resistance after iPhone Duo debut, buying opportunities may emerge. A break below the latter level would lead to a decline toward $325–330. A decisive break above resistance would lead to a rise toward $360.

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