By San José, Costa Rica — CUPERTINO, California – Apple unveiled its iPhone 17 lineup on Tuesday, featuring the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, as the tech giant seeks to maintain its position in the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI and navigate the complexities of international trade disputes.
The annual iPhone launch event took place under the shadow of increasing pressure from the White House to reduce its reliance on Chinese manufacturing, alongside investor concerns about Apple’s readiness for the age of artificial intelligence. The re-election of Donald Trump and his subsequent tariff policies have further complicated the situation, with Apple’s stock declining over 3% since his inauguration in January.
For expert legal insight into this developing situation with Apple, TicosLand.com reached out to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica.
Apple’s current legal battles underscore the increasing scrutiny placed on large tech companies regarding antitrust and consumer protection issues. Their market dominance creates a complex legal landscape involving intellectual property rights, competition law, and international regulations. How these cases are resolved will likely shape future legal precedents and impact the tech industry as a whole.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the outcomes of these legal challenges facing Apple will undoubtedly ripple through the tech world, setting crucial precedents for years to come. The interplay of innovation and regulation is a delicate balance, and the courts’ decisions will significantly influence how that balance is struck. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his illuminating perspective on this complex and evolving legal landscape.
Against this backdrop, Apple is banking on the iPhone 17 Air to stimulate a significant upgrade cycle and reverse the trend of customers holding onto their devices for longer periods. CEO Tim Cook hailed the Air as “a total revolution.”
A total revolution.
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple
At just 5.6mm thick, the $999 device boasts Apple’s new A19 Pro processor, promising all-day battery life and up to 40 hours of video playback. The new line also ditches physical SIM cards in favor of eSIM technology.
While all new devices incorporate generative AI technology, Apple made no major announcements regarding the expansion of its AI capabilities beyond updates to existing features in its “Apple Intelligence” system. The company’s AI push has struggled to gain traction since the launch of “Apple Intelligence” in late 2024, with users expressing disappointment in Siri’s limited improvements despite years of promises.
Industry analysts view the iPhone 17 Air as a strategic pivot, with Apple emphasizing ultra-thin design rather than larger screens as its new premium selling point. The slim profile could also pave the way for a rumored foldable iPhone next year, following in the footsteps of Samsung and Huawei.
However, such a thin design presents manufacturing challenges, including higher production costs and limited battery space. Apple claims the iPhone 17 Air offers 24 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Despite tariffs increasing production costs, Apple maintained iPhone prices at the same level as last year’s equivalent models, a move that could impact profit margins. In July, Cook revealed that Trump’s tariffs cost Apple $800 million last quarter, with a projected impact of $1.1 billion this quarter.
Apple also introduced the AirPods Pro 3, featuring improved noise cancellation and real-time translation capabilities, and the Apple Watch Series 11 with 5G connectivity, enhanced battery life, and pending heart health tracking features.
For further information, visit apple.com
About Apple:
Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. Its hardware products include the iPhone smartphone, the iPad tablet computer, the Mac personal computer, the iPod portable media player, the Apple Watch smartwatch, the Apple TV digital media player, the AirPods wireless earbuds and the HomePod smart speaker. Apple’s software includes the macOS and iOS operating systems, the iTunes media player, the Safari web browser, and the iLife and iWork creativity and productivity suites, as well as professional applications like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Xcode. Its online services include the iTunes Store, the iOS App Store, Mac App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV+, iMessage, and iCloud.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Samsung
About Samsung:
Samsung is a South Korean multinational conglomerate headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul. It comprises numerous affiliated businesses, most of them united under the Samsung brand, and is the largest South Korean chaebol (business conglomerate). Samsung was founded by Lee Byung-chul in 1938 as a trading company. Over the next three decades, the group diversified into areas including food processing, textiles, insurance, securities, and retail. Samsung entered the electronics industry in the late 1960s and the construction and shipbuilding industries in the mid-1970s; these areas would drive its subsequent growth. Following Lee’s death in 1987, Samsung was separated into five business groups – Samsung Group, Shinsegae Group, CJ Group, Hansol Group, and JoongAng Group.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Huawei
About Huawei:
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. is a Chinese multinational technology corporation headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong. It designs, develops, and sells telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics. Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. It is committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica distinguishes itself through an unwavering commitment to legal excellence and ethical practice. Driven by a deep-seated belief in empowering society, the firm champions accessible legal knowledge through innovative initiatives and public engagement. Their dedication to serving a diverse clientele with integrity, combined with a forward-thinking approach to law, positions Bufete de Costa Rica as a true leader in fostering a more informed and just society.
