KGI Securities

KGI: Kaby lake processors and more RAM coming to Mac laptops this year

Cody Lee ∙ January 16, 2017

Apple is planning updates for its MacBook and MacBook Pro lines later this year, according to a research note from KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo. The noted analyst says the new notebooks will feature Intel's next-generation Kaby Lake processors and updated RAM options.

Kuo says the refreshed 12-inch MacBook models will enter mass production as early as March, and may offer a new 16GB RAM option (currently capped off at 8GB). As for the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models, he doesn't see production starting until early third quarter.

KGI: 3 new iPads coming this year, including new 10-10.5-inch model

Cody Lee ∙ January 8, 2017

KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo released a new research note on Sunday, giving investors his updated predictions for Apple's tablet plans. In the report, the noted analyst says the company is working on 3 new iPads for 2017: a 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2, a low cost 9.7-inch iPad, and a new high-end model with a bezel-free display between 10-10.5-inches.

KGI predicts massive iPhone 8 upgrade cycle, 4.7″ model to feature wireless charging

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 29, 2016

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo issued a note to clients this morning, a copy of which was obtained by MacRumors, predicting record 150 million iPhone sales in the second half of 2017. A 4.7-inch iPhone 8 with an LCD screen and glass casing should feature wireless charging, he wrote.

“Unprecedented replacement demand” will, of course, be led by a rumored high-end iPhone 8 model with brand new industrial design, power-saving OLED display technology and other “notably superior specifications” from the “less exciting” 4.7 and 5.5-inch LCD iPhones.

Apple could slash prices of next year’s 4.7″ and 5.5″ iPhones with legacy LCD technology

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 23, 2016

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is on a roll this morning with a litany of reports pertaining to Apple's next-generation 2017 iPhone refresh. According to another note issued to clients this morning, a copy of which was obtained by AppleInsider, Kuo says he expects the Cupertino firm to slash prices of both 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone models next year.

That's because those iPhones are expected to continue using legacy LCD technology. By lowering prices for those models, Apple might potentially regain some of the market share lost to more affordable Android handsets.

iPhone 8 to hit mass production late in the third quarter of 2017

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 23, 2016

In another note issued to clients this morning, a copy of which was obtained by AppleInsider, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says he expects a next-generation iPhone to hit mass production late in the third quarter of next year. The widely rumored premium OLED iPhone model should account for a little more than half of new model shipments, or about fifty to 55 percent.

A 4.7-inch variant of next year's iPhone is projected to account for 30 to 35 percent of orders while its 5.5-inch brethren is expected to account for ten to fifteen percent of iPhone shipments next year.

KGI: iPhone 8 will have all glass casing to support wireless charging

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 23, 2016

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said many times over the past few months that Apple's Tenth Anniversary iPhone due next year will move from the current unibody aluminum industrial design to an all-glass front and back plate sandwiched between a stainless steel frame.

In a new note to clients, a copy of which was obtained by MacRumors, Kuo explains that the reason why so-called 'iPhone 8' will switch from metal to glass for its casing is to support advanced wireless charging technologies.

Dual-lens 2017 iPhone models to feature dual optical image stabilization

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 21, 2016

Apple's single-lens iPhone 7 and dual-lens iPhone 7 Plus both support the optical image stabilization (OIS) feature for taking sharper images and capturing stabilized videos. Next year's dual-lens iPhone models, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, will support OIS on both the the wide-angle lens and the telephoto lens. The iPhone 7 Plus supports auto focus on both cameras on the back, but only the wide-angle lens is outfitted with OIS.

KGI: OLED iPhone to boast 5.1″ or 5.2″ active display area

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 21, 2016

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is out with a new report this morning. In his note to clients, a copy of which was obtained by AppleInsider, the revered analyst predicts that a brand new premium iPhone model will be joining the lineup next year alongside 4.7 and 5.5-inch models.

This brand new device should boast an all-new industrial design with a glass casing instead of metal and use OLED display technology, as reported before. According to the note, the active display area will be somewhere in between the current 4.7-inch iPhone 7 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus, or about 5.2-inches diagonally.

KGI details three new iPhones coming in 2017, including 5.5″ OLED model with dual cameras

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 15, 2016

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is out with a new report to clients Tuesday, a copy of which was obtained by MacRumors, that lays out his predictions for Apple's 2017 iPhone refresh. The analyst is calling for a trio of new iPhones next fall, two of which should be upgraded versions of the current models with classic TFT-LCD screens.

As for a third model, it will boast all-new industrial design and utilize power-sipping organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display technology, according to the analyst's note.

KGI (again) predicts iPhone demand has peaked for the year due to lackluster improvements

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 14, 2016

Shortly following the iPhone 7 launch in September 2016, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted fewer iPhone 7 sales than the iPhone 6s garnered in 2015. In a new note issued to clients today, a copy of which was obtained by MacRumors, the analyst reiterated his belief that iPhone demand has peaked for the year due to a lack of significant improvements.

He is now forecasting a drop in unit shipments in November and December from five to fifteen percent based on supply checks and greater iPhone 7 stock availability.

KGI: no iPhone SE refresh in Spring 2017

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 5, 2016

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is predicting iPhone sales will drop in the first quarter of 2017 because he is not expecting a refreshed iPhone SE model that could perhaps reinvigorate demand during the slow post-holiday quarter.

Kuo's note to investors Friday says Apple's been putting pressure on component makers to reduce prices in order to protect its high gross margins that are the envy of the industry.

KGI: Apple’s AR tech could end up in autonomous driving system

Cody Lee ∙ November 2, 2016

KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo issued a new research note to investors on Wednesday regarding his vision for Apple's augmented reality efforts. In the letter, the noted analyst says that we likely won't see these efforts for 1-2 years, but when we do they will redefine Apple's current products and open up new categories.