• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechApple

NBD. It’s Just Another iPhone.

Michal Lev-Ram
By
Michal Lev-Ram
Michal Lev-Ram
Special Correspondent
Down Arrow Button Icon
Michal Lev-Ram
By
Michal Lev-Ram
Michal Lev-Ram
Special Correspondent
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 7, 2016, 8:30 AM ET
Apple CEO Steve Jobs poses with the new iPhone 4 during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, California June 7, 2010. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith  (UNITED STATES - Tags: SCI TECH IMAGES OF THE DAY BUSINESS) - RTR2EVJN
Apple CEO Steve Jobs poses with the new iPhone 4 during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, California June 7, 2010. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES - Tags: SCI TECH IMAGES OF THE DAY BUSINESS) - RTR2EVJNPhotograph by Robert Galbraith — Reuters

It’s hard to get excited about yet another iPhone, even on the day of the company’s fall product launch.

The all-touchscreen cell phone was revolutionary when it debuted nearly 10 years ago. But, well, that was nearly 10 years ago. I still remember covering the launch from Apple’s downtown Palo Alto, Calif., store back in June 2007. A line of camped-out fanboys and fangirls stretched all the way around the block. Steve Jobs (and his wife, Laurene Powell Jobs) made an appearance. It was hard not to get caught up in the excitement. This was, after all, a phone that was unlike any other mobile device we’d seen before. And not only did it alter mainstream phone design, it also changed the way we use our devices.

Fast-forward to today, and the most exciting thing about the upcoming iPhone 7 is that it will reportedly come in two new black options: dark black and “piano” black, at least according to one analyst. And that the latest version of the device won’t include an industry-standard headphone jack. Yes, there will likely be more significant improvements, but these are iterative, not revolutionary.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s daily technology newsletter.

It’s no surprise, then, that Apple’s stock price has declined 1% over the past year, and that sales projections for new iPhones aren’t what they used to be. That said, Apple (AAPL) is still just as exciting of a company—and a trendsetter—as always. It just so happens that some of its recent “innovations” haven’t been on the product side.

As analyst Brian White with Drexel Hamilton pointed out earlier this week, Apple has become the “Jason Bourne of Tech.” Its recent run-ins with the FBI and the EU have given us plenty to watch and will very likely set new precedents for tech companies. It’s no shiny new object, but I’m guessing we’ll be seeing more of those too from Apple in the near future—and I’m not talking yet another iPhone.

About the Author
Michal Lev-Ram
By Michal Lev-RamSpecial Correspondent
Twitter icon

Michal Lev-Ram is a special correspondent covering the technology and entertainment sectors for Fortune, writing analysis and longform reporting.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

SuccessFortune The Good Life
Student discounts made him a millionaire, a heart condition made him rethink life—now this millennial founder spends half the year in the French Alps
By Orianna Rosa RoyleDecember 11, 2025
11 minutes ago
Google DeepMind cofounder and CEO Demis Hassabis
AIU.K.
Google DeepMind agrees to sweeping partnership with U.K. government focused on science and clean energy
By Jeremy KahnDecember 10, 2025
8 hours ago
InnovationBrainstorm AI
Rivian CEO says buying an EV isn’t a political choice, pointing out that R1 buyers are split evenly between Republicans and Democrats
By Jason MaDecember 10, 2025
11 hours ago
Larry Ellison
Big TechMarkets
Oracle earnings may not be enough to assuage debt, AI deal fears
By Carmen Reinicke and BloombergDecember 10, 2025
11 hours ago
Curly haired woman in a black dress speaking.
AIBrainstorm AI
Actress Natasha Lyonne dropped out of NYU and watched movies instead. Now, she’s helping to shape the future of AI
By Amanda GerutDecember 10, 2025
13 hours ago
Jeff Williams, former Apple CEO
C-SuiteDisney
Jeff Williams, who retired from Apple after 27 years, less than a month ago, just got called up by Disney to join its board of directors
By Dave SmithDecember 10, 2025
13 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Success
At 18, doctors gave him three hours to live. He played video games from his hospital bed—and now, he’s built a $10 million-a-year video game studio
By Preston ForeDecember 10, 2025
22 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Politics
Exclusive: U.S. businesses are getting throttled by the drop in tourism from Canada: ‘I can count the number of Canadian visitors on one hand’
By Dave SmithDecember 10, 2025
20 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
‘Be careful what you wish for’: Top economist warns any additional interest rate cuts after today would signal the economy is slipping into danger
By Eva RoytburgDecember 10, 2025
14 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
‘Fodder for a recession’: Top economist Mark Zandi warns about so many Americans ‘already living on the financial edge’ in a K-shaped economy 
By Eva RoytburgDecember 9, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Uncategorized
Transforming customer support through intelligent AI operations
By Lauren ChomiukNovember 26, 2025
15 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Fed’s expected rate cut today is less about stimulating the economy and more about protecting the job market from ‘shattering’
By Eleanor PringleDecember 10, 2025
21 hours ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.