Taiwan suppliers' iPhone 4 orders drop before new model
updated 08:25 am EDT, Tue June 21, 2011
iPhone 4 part orders drop in spring
New leaks Tuesday morning hinted at Apple ramping down production of the iPhone 4 ahead of the future model. PCB (circuit board) suppliers were told to cut their orders by about 10 percent for the spring. Orders were expected by Digitimes' source to go back up in the summer as Apple stepped up production for the next model.
Earlier tips have had production of the new iPhone starting in July with a release in or around September. Compeq Manufacturing, Nan Ya PCB, Tripod Technology, and Unimicron Technology are believed to be Apple's contractors.
Separately, the Economic Daily News also said that quote cuts were dropping 10 percent, although its phrasing pointed to these being price drops to reflect spikes in orders. Apple is estimated by them to be surging its iPad shipments by 70 percent to eight million units, leading it to push for volume discounts. Shipments were only expected to increase in the summer and could lead to more price drops.
The production changes could see a slight drop in iPhone numbers in the summer but wouldn't necessarily see Apple face any threat of losing market share. RIM's rapid fall both in its last quarter and in the summer are only expected to widen Apple's advantage. Nokia's decline while it waits for its first Windows Phone devices could also play into Apple's hands.
