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Conflicting Supplier Report Now Says iPhone 7 Orders Higher Than Expected

Monday May 23, 2016 7:05 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Directly contradicting a previous claim of projected weak demand for the iPhone 7, Apple has reportedly asked its Asian suppliers to prepare for the highest iPhone production target in "about two years", according to Barron's Asia.

Citing a story in the Taiwanese Economic Daily Times this morning, the financial news publication said Apple has requested between 72-78 million units of the new iPhone, which is much higher than the 65 million handsets that Wall Street analysts previously predicted.

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Supply chain sources claim that Foxconn will remain the key manufacturer for Apple's next-gen handset, while competing contractor Pegatron will also be involved in the assembly process. Additionally, it is claimed that both companies are expected to get more market share this year, as they participate in dual camera and glass casing components production in addition to being assemblers.

The glass reference contradicts recent reports by iPhone casing supplier Catcher Technology and KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, both of which claim that Apple is planning to use glass for the casing of the 2017 iPhone, in order to differentiate it from aluminum-bodied smartphones on the market.

Earlier this month it was reported that Apple would rely on multiple manufacturing partners to assemble the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus to aim for a smooth launch in September, with Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron at the center of the assembly process.

Rumors suggest the iPhone 7 could retain a 6s-like design with a faster TSMC-built A10 chip, slightly larger battery, waterproofing and dustproofing, repositioned antenna bands, no headphone jack, faster Intel LTE chips, and more. Meanwhile, the larger iPhone 7 Plus (or Pro) could have a Smart Connector, dual-lens camera, and 3GB of RAM.

Other rumors surrounding the next-generation smartphones have included a flush camera, touch-sensitive home button, stereo speakers, and wireless charging, but it remains possible that Apple dropped some of those features or chose to include them on the OLED-based iPhone with glass casing rumored to launch in 2017.

Related Roundup: iPhone 7
[ 126 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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pbush25
42 months ago

They can order all they like... I won't be buying one!


Says someone who has no idea what the final product will be and would rather just troll the forums.
Rating: 31 Votes
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mattoligy
42 months ago
They can order all they like... I won't be buying one!
Rating: 14 Votes
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penajmz
42 months ago
Rumors are just all over the place this year. I'm willing to bet Apple is doing this on purpose to throw us all off.
Rating: 14 Votes
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kyliewylie
42 months ago

How's that on the planet earth though upgrading each year?


Over 90 percent of the iPhone is recyclable... Think before you speak rather than just concentrating on trolling me.
Rating: 9 Votes
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Keniutek
42 months ago
I hope half ot these, ends up in some warehouse. Start innovating Apple, logo on the back won't cut it much longer!
Rating: 9 Votes
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samcraig
42 months ago
Here's my analysis. There's no determination yet.
Rating: 8 Votes
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kyliewylie
42 months ago

because you would extend it, and most people wouldn't do that for a nearly-identical and/or subpar phone.


Even if Apple put out a phone IDENTICAL to an iPhone 6s, you wouldn't upgrade and pay roughly 50 bucks for a phone that is new out of the box with zero wear and tear? A battery with ZERO charging cycles? A charging port with no scuffs or impacted lint? A camera with a fresh CMOS sensor? A cable with no bunching or stretching on the end? A set of unused speakers with no pocket lint in the enclosure? I could go on...

We know that Apple has at least been making incremental upgrades YoY. Positioning within the Apple store is that customers return after 12 months and swap out the old phone for a new model for only the cost of tax. Customers remember that because they see great value in it. "50 bucks for a new phone" sounds cheap enough to return to the store after 12 months. It's basic consumer psychology. Demand for the phone will be healthy on the basic premise of trade-in and curiosity.
Rating: 7 Votes
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kyliewylie
42 months ago
Analysts keep forgetting about the iPhone Upgrade Program. Since signing up, I am a guaranteed upgrade every year and with this being the first new phone since its inception, demand will be very high. Why not take the newest phone when my monthly charge will remain identical and the only difference in cost to me is a one time charge of tax on the phone?
Rating: 7 Votes
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Rogifan
42 months ago

Would be nice of Apple to actually make enough iPhones to meet launch demand for once.

But that would hurt their illusion of scarcity, so...

Right because Apple's not really interested in selling iPhones they're just interested in people thinking demand is high. Because if it's not available people won't buy something else they'll just sit around and wait until it is available. And Apple can totally count on that. :rolleyes:
Rating: 7 Votes
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Rogifan
42 months ago

I hope half ot these, ends up in some warehouse. Start innovating Apple, logo on the back won't cut it much longer!

If only the comments sections of MR would practice what they preach.
Rating: 6 Votes

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