Apple reportedly cuts 100 jobs ahead of iPhone 16 launch: Here¡¯s why

Apple is reportedly reducing its workforce by nearly 100 employees within its Services division, just days before its much-anticipated iPhone 16 launch event scheduled for September 9. The layoffs, which are said to affect teams including the Apple Books app and Apple Bookstore, were first reported by Bloomberg.

Apple yet to confirm the layoffs officially

According to Bloomberg, the employees impacted by these job cuts were informed on Tuesday. These individuals, who were part of teams under Senior Vice President Eddy Cue's services group, have requested anonymity as the news has not yet been officially disclosed by Apple.

It remains unclear how many employees Apple currently has in its services division, but the company reported having approximately 161,000 full-time equivalent employees as of September 30, 2023, according to a Reuters report.

Apple has been reorganizing various teams in response to shifting priorities, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence. Earlier this year, the tech giant halted work on its upcoming high-end Vision headset and also scrapped a project aimed at developing its own smartwatch displays.

The company has also been contending with challenges in China, its third-largest market, where sales dropped by 6.5% in the last quarter.

What to expect from Apple¡¯s upcoming event

During the upcoming event, Apple is anticipated to unveil four new iPhone models: the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Leaks suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro Max might feature a larger 6.9-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro could come with a 6.3-inch screen.

A key feature expected in the new iPhone series is Apple Intelligence, though this capability may be enabled through a later software update. Additionally, the iPhone 16 lineup might introduce a new physical Capture button, designed for quick photo and video capturing, with added functionalities like exposure locking and zoom adjustments.

In addition to the iPhones, Apple is rumored to be launching three new Apple Watch models: Watch Series 10, Watch Ultra 3, and a new, budget-friendly Watch SE. There is also speculation about the introduction of the second-generation AirPods Max and updated AirPods models. The event is also expected to include the announcement of the release date for iOS 18 and other software updates.

Also Read: 'It's Glowtime': Internet buzzes with mixed reactions as Apple announces iPhone 16 launch event date

Pricing details for the iPhone 16 series have reportedly been leaked by Apple Hub. The base iPhone 16 model is expected to start at $799 in the US, which could be around ?67,000 in India. The iPhone 16 Plus might be priced at $899, or approximately ?75,500 in India. The iPhone 16 Pro could start at $1,099 (around ?92,300), while the iPhone 16 Pro Max may be priced from $1,199 (approximately ?1,00,700).

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