HTC One could see limited availability due to shortages
updated 07:01 pm EST, Sat March 9, 2013
Camera issues said to plague One production
HTC's One smartphone, on which are thought to hang the hopes of the company, may be very short in supply upon its release due to component shortages. This according to new reports out of Taiwan, which claim that HTC is having trouble getting ahold of parts that make up the device's UltraPixel camera.
Android Authority carried word on Friday that channel checks from KGI Securities had found that HTC was unable to secure crucial components that go into its forthcoming flagship device. The voice coil motor (VCM) and compact camera module (CCM) that go into the One's UltraPixel camera are said to be the components threatening to limit supply.
One KGI analyst says yield rates for those camera components are between 20 and 30 percent. With yield rate that low, KGI says HTC may only be able to ship 800,000 to 1.2 million One units in the months after its March 22 release.
Electronista went hands-on with the One at HTC's unveiling event for the device in New York. We were impressed with the build quality of the device, finding it to be a solid handset. The UltraPixel camera which is apparently giving HTC trouble in production is actually quite capable at taking pictures in low light settings.
HTC is counting on the One to improve its standing in the smartphone market. Once the top Android handset maker, HTC has since hemorrhaged share to Samsung, which, along with Apple, now dominates the overall smartphone market.
