Connect with us

Business

Ahead of iPhone 15 launch, Apple copes with China challenge

Published

on

[ad_1]

Apple on Tuesday is expected to unveil a new iPhone 15 lineup as questions about market access in China and competition hang over the world’s most valuable listed company.

People walk past the Apple logo
People walk past the Apple logo

The iPhone made up more than half of Apple’s $394.3 billion in sales last year, but it faces new challenges with selling in China, the Cupertino, California firm’s third-largest market.

Apple’s latest phones are expected to have new charging ports, titanium cases and cameras, but their debut at its Apple Park headquarters at 10 a.m. PT (1700 GMT) will come as the Chinese government has expanded some restrictions on using iPhones.

Apple will also have to grapple with competition from Huawei Technologies, which was its top rival in China’s premium smartphone market until U.S. export controls ruined Huawei’s phone business in 2019. Last week, Huawei started selling the Mate 60 Pro, a high-end phone that uses Chinese-made chips that some U.S. lawmakers believe were manufactured in violation of U.S. trade curbs.

Huawei wants to gain an edge on Apple with add-on features like satellite calling that relies on China’s government-backed network. Apple’s current iPhone lineup includes satellite capabilities, though they are meant only for emergency situations.

Apple on Tuesday is likely to focus on its new product lineup. By far the biggest change for most Apple customers will be a switch from Apple’s propriety “Lightning” charging cables to USB-C, a standard that Apple already uses on its laptops and some high-end iPads.

Apple was forced into the change by European regulations, but analysts believe that the company will position the change as an upgrade, taking advantage of faster data speeds that can transfer high-quality videos made with iPhones.

Analysts are also expecting a new “periscope” camera technology that could give phones better zoom capabilities and titanium cases, as well as upgraded chips. Such “periscope” lenses can use mirrors or prisms to get a longer lens without having to make the camera module much larger.

The biggest question of the day will be whether Apple reserves those features for a new top-end device and makes smaller upgrades to its cheaper models.

“Just like we saw people who aren’t Ultra athletes buy the Apple Watch Ultra, we’re going to see a bunch of people buy this even if they aren’t camera or photography enthusiasts, just because they like the latest and greatest,” said Ben Bajarin, chief executive and principal analyst of Creative Strategies. “That by itself creates that buzz and momentum and allure to the top end.”

Apple is expected to increase the average price per phone sold to boost its revenue, but the question is whether it does that by raising prices across the board or just on premium versions. The global smartphone market has slumped from shipping 294.5 million total phones to 268 million in the second quarter, but Apple’s shipments declined the least of any major smartphone maker, dropping from 46.5 million phones to 45.3 million, according to data from Counterpoint Research.

“The truth of the matter is, we’re in a very down smartphone market,” said Bob O’Donnell, head of TECHnalysis Research.

O’Donnell said he will also be on the lookout for any hints about Apple’s plans with what is known as generative artificial intelligence, the technology trend behind applications like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s “Copilot” assistant technologies for its Office software.

Analysts have repeatedly prodded Apple about its plans for such technology but the company has given few hints so far, other than Chief Executive Tim Cook’s comments in July that the company’s secret work on the technology is driving up its research spending.

“Will Apple tease an advanced form of Siri? That would be something that would generate some excitement,” O’Donnell said.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Sarah Burton’s Givenchy Debut: A New Era Through the Female Gaze

Published

on

Sarah Burton has officially redefined Givenchy. In her Fall 2025 debut at Paris Fashion Week, the former Alexander McQueen creative director brought a feminine perspective to the legendary house, embracing strength, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence. This moment felt significant—not only because of Burton’s storied past but also because so few women currently helm major luxury brands.


A Tribute to Givenchy’s Heritage

Burton’s inspiration came from Hubert de Givenchy’s 1952 debut collection, known for its clean, graphic silhouettes. A recent discovery of the maison’s archival calico patterns further fueled her vision, leading to designs that balanced wearable ease with dramatic, couture-like elements.

The show opened with a black fishnet catsuit, a bold reset before transitioning into the essence of Burton’s Givenchy—a collection that honored the past while embracing modern femininity.


Key Looks & Defining Elements

Oversized Suits with Cinched Waists → A powerful balance of structure and fluidity.

Sleeveless Dresses with Ruffled Hemlines → Adding movement and drama to everyday elegance.

Cocoon-Like Coats & Jackets → Featuring rounded, puffed-up shoulders, nodding to Givenchy’s classic volume play.

Body-Diverse Runway Casting → One of the few Paris shows this season to feature a range of body types, reinforcing Burton’s commitment to dressing real women.


A New Vision for Modern Women

Burton’s Givenchy is about more than just clothes—it’s about how women want to feel: powerful, sexy, vulnerable, and strong, all at once. Her debut collection wasn’t just a runway success—it was a statement on the future of fashion, where femininity is both celebrated and redefined.

Continue Reading

Business

How to Recreate Zoe Saldaña’s Rosy Beauty Look From the 2025 Oscars

Published

on

Zoe Saldaña stunned at the 2025 Oscars, taking home the award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Emilia Peréz. Dressed in a Saint Laurent gown with a jewel-encrusted bandeau and a layered skirt, Saldaña kept her makeup soft, radiant, and effortless—a signature of her classic beauty style.

With the help of Armani Beauty celebrity makeup artist Vera Steimberg, Saldaña’s look featured luminous skin, rosy eyes, and a glossy lip. If you want to recreate her elegant, rosy beauty look, follow these steps:


  1. Radiant, Flawless Skin

Saldaña’s complexion was all about natural radiance and soft sculpting:

Foundation: Apply Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 7.75 for an even, dewy base.

Concealer: Use Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer under the eyes for a brightened effect.

Contour & Glow: Sculpt the cheekbones and jawline with Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 8.75, then add Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Highlighter in shade 2 to the cheeks and nose tip for a luminous finish.


  1. Rosy, Soft-Focus Eyes

The warm, pink-toned eye makeup subtly complemented her burgundy dress:

Base Color: Use Luminous Silk Creamy Bronzing Powder in shade 110 as a transition shade on the eyelids for warmth.

Rosy Eyeshadow Blend: Layer Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadows in shades 10S, 56S, and 44S for a soft, romantic wash of color.

Mascara: Finish the eye look with two coats of Armani Vertigo Lift Mascara on the top and bottom lashes for lifted, voluminous lashes.


  1. Glossy Rose Lips

For her soft, rosy pout:

Lipstick: Apply Armani Lip Power Lipstick in shade 108 for a natural pink hue.

Gloss: Layer with Prisma Glass Lip Gloss in shade 02 for extra shine.


  1. Effortless Wavy Hair

Hairstylist Mara Roszak created Saldaña’s soft, flowing waves:

Volume & Texture: Prep hair with RŌZ Air Thickening Spray for added fullness.

Styling: Use a curling iron to create loose waves.

Extensions: Add Covet & Mane brunette extensions in Portofino and Dubai for extra length and volume.

Continue Reading

Business

Vanessa Kirby Personifies Sarah Burton’s Givenchy at the Fall 2025 Show

Published

on

Vanessa Kirby made a striking appearance at Sarah Burton’s highly anticipated inaugural Givenchy runway show for Fall 2025, embodying the essence of the designer’s vision. As a longtime admirer of Burton’s work, the Fantastic Four: First Steps star was eager to witness the debut collection in Paris.

“I really wanted to be here in Paris for Sarah’s first show,” Kirby expressed with enthusiasm. “Sarah has been my favorite designer for years. I absolutely love everything she does—I think she’s a master. She designs clothes truly for women—always extraordinary, feline, and structured in a way that makes you feel so empowered.”

Having collaborated with Burton throughout her tenure at Alexander McQueen, Kirby’s presence at the show was a testament to their ongoing creative synergy. Dressed in a sleek black ensemble with sharp shoulders and a plunging V-neck, Kirby’s outfit embodied Burton’s signature aesthetic: a balance of strength and femininity. “The dress we chose felt very classic—the shape felt architectural and strong, but also daytime and relaxed,” she noted.

Following the intimate runway presentation, Kirby joined an exclusive gathering of fashion and film’s elite at a celebratory dinner honoring Burton’s Givenchy debut. Among the attendees were Rooney Mara, Gwendoline Christie, Raye, Alex Consani, and Yseult, all raising a toast to the designer’s new chapter.

Reflecting on the experience, Kirby shared her admiration for the energy of Paris Fashion Week. “I associate Paris with the amazing shows that happen every year. The shows themselves feel like a real reveal—seeing what Sarah has been working on for months for her first Givenchy collection. Everyone was so excited to see her vision.”

With Burton’s Givenchy era now officially underway, Kirby’s presence at the event was a fitting tribute to the designer’s ability to craft powerful, empowering fashion for the modern woman.

Continue Reading

Trending