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Foxconn's Zhengzhou Factory to Reportedly Cease Production of iPhone 5c

Monday November 18, 2013 5:42 am PST by Richard Padilla
Foxconn will reportedly stop production of Apple's lower-cost iPhone 5C at its factory located in Zhengzhou, China, and will reportedly shift the facility's manufacturing efforts towards the iPhone 5s, reports Digitimes.

The news follows a report last week stating that Apple has been steadily reducing its orders for the iPhone 5c with suppliers as customers continue to prefer the iPhone 5s. Previously, it was stated that assembly partner Pegatron has slashed production from 320,000 units per day in October to just 80,000 units per day, with Foxconn operating at a minimal capacity of 8-9,000 units per day.

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Foxconn and Pegatron Technology have obtained OEM orders for 30% and 70%, respectively, of iPhone 5c production, the sources said. One month ago, Apple lowered iPhone 5c orders to Pegatron by 20% and those to Foxconn by nearly one-third for the fourth quarter due to unsatisfactory sales, the sources indicated.
Major cuts in iPhone 5c production at Apple's two major suppliers were first reported last month, as the iPhone 5c has regularly seen much greater availability compared to the iPhone 5s. The Zhengzhou factory, one of Foxconn's main facilities for Apple, saw a hiring drive in April ahead of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c launch in September, and by ceasing production of the iPhone 5c it will be able to focus its efforts entirely on the iPhone 5s.

While iPhone 5c supplies have been in strong supply since the device's September launch, the iPhone 5s has been much more constrained and is only now beginning to see improved supplies. Last week, shipping estimates for new orders through Apple's online store improved to 1-2 weeks, while the various models are showing significantly improved availability in Apple's retail stores.

Tag: digitimes.com
[ 283 comments ]


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maflynn
73 months ago
The 5c should have had a lower price point and the lack of sales is indicating that Apple misread the situation
Rating: 54 Votes
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gyang333
73 months ago

Instead of reducing 5C production, how about use the facility to pump up 5S stocks instead?


That's exactly what they are doing. Did you not read the article?
Rating: 32 Votes
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tumtumtum
73 months ago
Well that's news. Cheaper plastic iPhone that's not really cheaper in any significant way does not sell as well as flagship model.
Rating: 23 Votes
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OneBagTravel
73 months ago
Ax the 4s, make the 5c your free phone.

Problem solved.
Rating: 16 Votes
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kolax
73 months ago
I'd rather they just focused on the one model, but kept selling the previous one at a much cheaper price like in the past.

Maybe this is an indicator they'll switch back to that model.
Rating: 14 Votes
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stu.h
73 months ago
Could have been such a massive hit had the pricing been correct.

WAY too expensive, Apple.
Rating: 8 Votes
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Sirious
73 months ago
You can just about see Steve Jobs smiling after reading this ;)
Rating: 8 Votes
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osx11
73 months ago
In all honestness, I think Apple made a mistake with the 5C.

Their philosophy is to make the best product, and the 5C simply didn't fit into Apple's design philosophy.
Rating: 8 Votes
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jav6454
73 months ago
The 5C was a great mistake at only a $100 difference. It would have sold so much at greater difference.

More over, I feel Apple misread the markets and thought the 5C was going to attract more people. I knew the 5C was going to sell, but not as good as the latest and greatest.
Rating: 7 Votes
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TimeSquareDesi
73 months ago

The 5c should have had a lower price point and the lack of sales is indicating that Apple misread the situation


I honestly feel like they made it and priced it at that point (w/same specs as the iphone 5) to make the 5s look better.
Rating: 7 Votes

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