Here’s everything Apple just announced at its iPhone 12 event

For months, analysts have predicted this year’s iPhone lineup will spur another “super cycle” of iPhone sales. Remember: iPhone sales revenue hasn’t recovered since it hit its peak back in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Will this year’s lineup be enough to juice growth again?

There are a few factors working in Apple’s favor:

First, analysts predict as many as 30% of iPhone owners today have a phone that’s at least three years old. Those people are likely ready to upgrade.

Second, this will be Apple’s first 5G phone, which will offer faster cellular connections. Apple will have to make a compelling argument for why people need to buy a 5G phone today, though, when 5G networks aren’t fully built out yet.

There are other factors working against Apple:

We’re in the middle of a global pandemic. People may not feel comfortable going in person to their carrier’s retail store or an Apple store to buy a new phone. Is Apple’s shipping and logistics network ready for all those online orders?

We’re also in the middle of a recession, with the unemployment rate in the U.S. at 7.9% in September, and things look gloomy if Congress can’t pass another stimulus package. We all know Apple doesn’t make cheap products. How well can a pricey iPhone sell in this economy? —Steve Kovach