Five-star DBS analyst Jim Hin Kwong Au believes tech giant Apple’s (AAPL) 2025 iPhone sales will struggle in China. He points to increased competition and falling consumer sentiment as leading factors behind lackluster iPhone sales this year.
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The DBS analyst argues that consumers aren’t as interested in iPhones right now due to the lack of a significant refresh. As a result, current iPhone owners are holding off on upgrades or switching to devices offering newer features and specs.
Au expects this to continue until September, which is when Apple typically reveals new iPhones. The analyst says Apple can regain consumer interest by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and improving the specs of its devices in its upcoming refresh.
AAPL Stock Downgraded at DBS
Based on Apple’s struggle to sell iPhones in China, Au downgraded the tech company’s shares from a Buy to a Hold rating. The analyst also cut his price target for AAPL shares from $243 to $210, representing a potential 5.68% downside.
Au wasn’t the only analyst updating their coverage of Apple stock today. Five-star Barclays analyst Tim Long reiterated a Sell rating for the company’s shares. He did so while decreasing his price target for AAPL from $184 to $183, representing a potential 17.8% downside for the shares.
AAPL stock is down 0.66% in pre-market trading today after falling 3.19% yesterday. It’s also been a rough start to 2025 with the company’s shares down 11.09% year-to-date.
Is AAPL Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold?
Turning to Wall Street, the analysts’ consensus rating for Apple is Moderate Buy based on 18 Buy, seven Hold, and four Sell ratings over the last three months. With that comes an average price target of $242.11, a high of $325, and a low of $184. This represents a potential 8.75% upside for AAPL shares.
