Morgan Stanley's Huberty sees innovative Apple iPhone 8 driving higher than expected sales this year

Morgan Stanley's tech analyst, Katy Huberty, has some very positive thoughts about the tenth anniversary iPhone that is expected to launch later in 2017. The analyst says that this super cycle for the iPhone has not been fully appreciated. She expects the Apple iPhone 8 (or iPhone X as some have dubbed the device) to be an innovative smartphone with an OLED screen, 3D sensors, wireless charging and advanced AI technology.

Huberty sees Apple selling 20% more iPhone units in 2017 on a year-over-year basis, double the Wall Street consensus. Her most bullish forecast has iPhone revenue increasing 30%  in 2017 from last year's sales. Huberty is considered one of the best tech analysts around, and is a member of the Institutional Investor All-America Research Team.

Most analysts expect Apple to release in September, the 4.7-inch Apple iPhone 7s, the 5.5-inch Apple iPhone 7s Plus and the 5.8-inch Apple iPhone 8. The latter will be the only model with an OLED panel this year. Of the 5.8-inch iPhone 8 screen, perhaps as much as 5.15-inches will be used for active applications. The remaining real estate will be used for an embedded version of Touch ID. 


According to the analyst, the innovative new features of the Apple iPhone 8 will lead to a surge in upgrades to the pricey new model, which is why her forecast is more bullish than those of other analysts on the Street. With all of the new features, the iPhone 8 could launch at a price higher than $1,000.

source: CNBC