Shipment volumes of the display panels used in Apple's new iPhone 5s are expected to reach 10-15 million units in the third quarter of 2013, according to industry sources cited by Digitimes. Primary Apple supplier Sharp is expected to produce 7 million units, with LG Display and Japan Display expected to pick up the rest of the orders for the recently announced device.
In addition to Sharp, LG Display and Japan Display are expected to pick up the rest of the orders, making the three companies the main panel suppliers for the iPhone 5s, the sources said.
Additionally, more than 20 million panels for the device are expected to be shipped in the fourth quarter of 2013, the sources said.
The report also states that display panel orders for the lower-cost iPhone 5c are expected to reach 30 million units in the fourth quarter, with analysts suggesting that the high volume of panel shipments for the iPhone 5c may signal an expectation set by Apple for the mid-range device to do well in the region.
Market observers added that panel shipments for the iPhone 5c are expected to surpass those of the iPhone 5s, showing that Apple is more optimistic about growth in the mid-range handset segment in markets such as China.
Previously, it was reported that iPhone 5s production would be limited to 3-4 million units in Q3 2013 due to shortages of the device's fingerprint sensor, which Apple is touting as a key feature. Additionally, a report earlier this year stated that Apple had sent orders for LCD panels for the iPhone 5S to all three companies in June, with Japan Display gearing up production levels as of last month.
The iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c will go on sale in nine countries on September 20, with the iPhone 5c available for pre-order on September 13. Apple is not accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 5s.
Top Rated Comments
Apple never said they were producing a lower cost iPhone, the tech media and analysts just assumed that the 5C would be cheap. You all know what they say about making assumptions.
All Apple has done is the same thing they do every iPhone releases... Release an improved top of the line, and bump older models down in price by $100/tier. There's just a small twist this time. They rewrapped the 5 in the 5C shell... for two reasons: 1) to differentiate it from the 5S, since the 5 and 5s look nearly identical, and 2) to appease or appeal to those who would already be prepared to buy the last gen 5 (if it wasn't called the 5C) and give 'em a few color options in the process.
#1 is the main reason. If anything, I think the 5C will sell MORE 5Ss.
50% of iPhone sales in the last year were not iPhone 5. Meaning half the buyers went for 4 or 4s. Since the 5c is billed as an all new model, and will appeal to some folks on color alone, I assume that number not buying the flagship model will rise.
Personally, I agree - would much rather pay $100 more (not much over the life of the contract) for the flagship model. But prior selling trends indicate the 5c will do very well.
I know that if we were buying a new phone with the new options, we would be getting the 32GB 5c. She could care less about aluminum unibody construction. She's rather have more space and I suspect would love the color choices.
There is a market for the 5c.
Sorry to those who want an iPhone for $100 off contract. :rolleyes::rolleyes:
Cost of entry is what matters. The base model of everything - phones, cars, computers, etc always sells by far the best. There is a lower cost of entry to the 5c than the flagship. The fact that there is also a more expensive 5c changes my prior statement not one bit.
I agree with you. The goal is to maximize profit, not sell the most of the most expensive product (the two are rarely the same). Assuming Apple's profit is equal for both products I could see them allowing the 5c to cannibalize 5s sales. They'll make the same and be able to say the 5c was a success to the doubters.