A patent settlement between HTC and Apple has raised speculation that the iPhone creator could embark on a similar path with Samsung. A deal could help Apple feather its bottom line, Sacconaghi said.
Over the last year, Samsung has pushed nearly 200 million Galaxy units out the doors, Sacconaghi said, along with a smaller number of tablets.
If Apple is successful in pursuing the company for patent violations — or manages to strike an acceptable settlement deal — the math works out well for the tech giant.
"Apple actually offered $30 to $40 a unit for a royalty settlement. So even if it was $10 a unit from Samsung," Sacconaghi said, "that could be $2.5 billion in earnings power for Apple, which is certainly not immaterial."
The Cupertino, Calif.-based technology behemoth has seen its stock price plummet into bear territory recently. Investors and analysts are harboring widespread doubts about whether Apple can sustain the same pace of innovation that propelled it into the stratosphere under the late Steve Jobs.
—By CNBC.com's Javier E. David
Additional News: Apple Dips Into Bear Market Territory
Additional Views: Apple's Stumbles: Bumps in the Road or More Serious?______________________________
CNBC Data Pages:
______________________________
Disclosures:
Sacconaghi owns no AAPL stock, and his bank has no investment banking relationship or other conflicts with the company.
Disclaimer