It was not as invincible as it was but Apple, according to analysts, remains in "a fairly positive position," and the looming iPhone 5S release date plus the rumoured iPhone 6 debut next year will further strengthen the tech titan.

At the moment, "Apple has most certainly been eclipsed by Samsung in the mobile handset market," CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson said in a new research note provided to IBTimes.

His outlook is mostly supported by recent figures in which Samsung's Galaxy smartphones outpaced the iPhone, propelling the tech giant to record revenues in Q1 2013 while Apple absorbed slight profit declines, relative, of course, to the usual gains it posted in the previous quarters.

Overall, Apple's "fundamentals continue to remain attractive especially when compared to other technology companies," Mr Hewson said, adding that "the outlook remains fairly positive."

The so-called Apple surprises to rollout beginning this fall, as promised by top honcho Tim Cook, is crucial for the company, the analyst offered, stressing too that further growth will hinge on consumers' positive response to 'innovative products'.

Apple should also be wary of the possible surge by "a newer more nimble rival," Mr Hewson warned.

These existing challenges will be dealt with by Apple with new product releases that show off device killer features, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty.

Of particular interest is the rumoured low-cost iPhone that would help Apple to make a significant dent on markets traditionally dominated by local device manufacturers, Nokia and Samsung.

Ms Huberty is convinced that Apple is well on its way to launch a 16GB budget iPhone that carries an attractive price tag of $US399.

"We now see the most likely starting price for the low-end iPhone at $US399, as supply chain components appear similar to the current iPhone lineup," Apple Insider reported the analyst as saying.

This pricing model, Ms Huberty insists, will not impact negatively on the tech titan's gross margins, which should ease the reported investors' concerns that such move could lead to eventual profit slides.

On the contrary, the new iPhone addition could even slightly spike up the company's overall margins, the analyst said.

But with the arrival of the price sensitive handset, Apple will have to retire the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S, which remain solid income generators for the company, the same report said.

Their legacy roles, however, will be amply filled up by the outgoing flagship, the iPhone 5, which experts expect to get significant price cuts shortly after the iPhone 5S release date on September 2013.