There’s been plenty of buzz around the Moto X, the new handset from Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG). However, analysts don’t think Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has anything to worry about. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) guru believes fans are too loyal to want to switch, although it might affect the landscape of Android devices. Jefferies analysts agree, although they continue to rate Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares as a Hold with a $450 per share price target.
How Apple stacks up to the Moto X
Analysts Peter Misek, Jason North and Billy Kim issued a report to investors this week examining the features of Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Moto X. They say in terms of hardware, the device’s specs are comparable or even just below current high-end handsets. For example, the 4.7 inch screen is slightly smaller than that of the Galaxy S4, and the device has an AMOLED 720p display compared to the Galaxy S4’s Super AMOLED 1080p display.
Also the Moto X will run the Android 4.3.3 operating system, which they said is a surprise because 4.3 was just released toward the end of last month. Overall, they say it has solid hardware, but it isn’t better than older devices, so they think Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iPhone 5S, which is expected out as early as next month, will be able to meet or exceed the Moto X.
More signs of softness are a bigger problem for Apple
Jefferies analysts briefly mentioned the weak guidance provided by Audience Inc (NASDAQ:ADNC), a key supplier for Apple. The guidance was so weak it sent shares plunging by more than 18 percent during the regular trading day on Friday. The company’s second quarter revenues were in line with estimates at $45 million, but it guided for third quarter revenue of between $31 million and $34 million, compared to the estimate of $45 million.
They note that while the weak guidance could be partially due to loss of market share in the iPhone 5S and the low cost iPhone, it also indicates that the high end smartphone market is just saturated. As such, this presents a problem for Apple, especially going into the next quarter.
