Apple is setting its sights on the gaming industry with its recently unveiled iPhone 15 Pro line, determined to rival gaming giants such as Sony’s PlayStation, Microsoft’s Xbox, and Nintendo’s Switch. The tech behemoth believes it’s poised to make a significant impact thanks to the powerful A17 Pro chips, which promise a 20% increase in graphics processing speed, bringing console-quality gaming to the palm of your hand.
While Apple has long touted its ability to handle high-end gaming, it appears that this time, the claims are more than mere hyperbole. This move to expand into the gaming sector is further substantiated by partnerships with renowned game developers. Capcom plans to release “Resident Evil Village” and a remake of “Resident Evil 4” for the iPhone 15 Pro line later this year. Kojima Productions is also set to bring “Death Stranding” to Apple’s flagship phones, with Ubisoft debuting “Assassin’s Creed Mirage” on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max next year. Importantly, Apple asserts that these are not watered-down versions but full-fledged titles.
Nevertheless, Apple faces formidable challenges in its quest to challenge the dominance of established console manufacturers. A crucial hurdle is convincing game developers and publishers to create high-end console-quality games for the iPhone platform.
So, why is Apple emphasizing gaming in its iPhone 15 Pro line? One major driver is the desire to boost sales among gamers in vital markets like China, where mobile gaming has already established a massive presence, and competitors running on Android dominate the landscape.
Apple may not be the first name that comes to mind in the gaming industry, but the numbers speak for themselves. In 2022, consumers spent a staggering $83.1 billion on iOS apps, with an astonishing $49.3 billion spent on games alone. These figures eclipse Nintendo’s full-year sales of $10.8 billion for the same year. However, it’s worth noting that most of these games are not as graphically demanding as their console counterparts.
Martin Yang, Oppenheimer senior analyst of emerging technologies and services, explained, “Now that iPhone can run the games that typically appeal to really serious hardcore gamers, and if iPhone can run those games natively, then there will be a very large audience that are willing to sometimes purchase the game twice; once on PC and console, and then other times on Apple.”
To effectively compete with PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, Apple must entice more developers and publishers to produce high-end games for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. However, IDC research director of gaming and VR, Lewis Ward, pointed out that developers are often hesitant to invest significant resources in adapting games for new iPhone releases.
Wedbush managing director Michael Pachter suggests that, if publishers do decide to develop high-end games for Apple’s new phones, they will likely focus on remakes of older titles or port modern games from consoles to the iPhone, rather than creating games specifically tailored for the smartphone.
The question remains: why is Apple marketing its latest smartphones as portable gaming consoles, given the uphill battle they face in attracting high-end game developers? The answer may lie in the potential to capture Android gamers, particularly in Asian markets where mobile gaming is thriving.
Pachter elaborated, stating, “I think what it really comes down to is that phone sales and there’s not any market share gain, it’s not going to grow. So it just comes down to, can Apple win over some Samsung buyers? And they probably can in Asia.”
Android remains the world’s most popular mobile operating system, with various smartphone manufacturers emphasizing gaming capabilities for years. In China, one of Apple’s most critical markets, smartphone gaming is exceptionally popular.
Apple’s move to launch the iPhone 15 Pro and showcase its gaming capabilities is a strategic move to appeal to Android users in China and elsewhere. By emphasizing the enhanced processing power of its chipsets, Apple aims to position its new phones as formidable gaming platforms.
As the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max prepare to hit store shelves on September 22, Apple must now convince gamers that its latest high-end smartphones truly deliver on the gaming experience it promises. The tech giant is betting that the allure of gaming on an iPhone will prove irresistible to gamers around the world.
Source: Yahoo Finance
