Kuo: AirPods Pro, Apple Watch Series 6, and iPod Touch Getting New Suppliers in 2020

Thursday January 2, 2020 5:43 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple will be making several changes to the suppliers of its products in 2020, according to reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.


For starters, Kuo expects Chinese company Goertek to begin assembly of AirPods Pro in the first half of the year. The addition of a second supplier alongside Luxshare Precision should help improve supply of the popular earphones, which continue to face multi-week shipping estimates on Apple.com.

Luxshare itself will replace Quanta Computer as the exclusive manufacturer and supplier of S-series chips for the new Apple Watch in 2020, aka Series 6 models if Apple sticks with its naming trend, Kuo added.

And last, Kuo expects Chinese manufacturer BYD Electronic to replace Quanta Computer as the sole assembler of the iPod touch in 2020, as well as obtain at least 10-20 percent of non-cellular iPad orders. Naturally, if this goes well, the company is expected to receive an even larger percentage of orders in 2021 and beyond.

Kuo outlined these details in a research note with investment firm TF International Securities, seen by MacRumors.

Related Roundups: iPod touch, Apple Watch, watchOS 6, AirPods Pro
Tags: Ming-Chi Kuo, TF International Securities
Buyer's Guide: iPod Touch (Neutral), Apple Watch (Neutral), AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
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EugW
3 weeks ago


Honest question: does anybody outside of Apple, the suppliers and perhaps Wall Street analysts care about which supplier Apple is using for a certain product or product component? I never understood why rumor sites considered these stories newsworthy.

Qualcomm vs Intel was a pretty important one people were concerned about. Also, Samsung vs TSMC.
Rating: 6 Votes
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Bandaman
3 weeks ago


apple watch series 6 huh? Maybe I will wait for series 7 and ditch my series 2?

Why not hold off until the Series 8? It'll be even better.
Rating: 3 Votes
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Relentless Power
3 weeks ago
Quanta discontinuing their production for the Apple Watch was reportedly due to ‘profit concerns’ (See link below), which was initially reported back in October. There’s nothing wrong with having another supplier for the Apple Watch, hopefully it still meet/exceeds the quality of Quanta with Luxshare taking over.

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.macrumors.com/2019/10/16/quanta-may-stop-apple-watch-assembly-2020/amp/[/URL]
Rating: 3 Votes
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PickUrPoison
3 weeks ago


Instead of shifting away from China and diversifying, Apple doubles down on it. China has Apple by the balls and it’s getting more and more concerning. It’s time for Tim to go. The “supply chain genius” does not seem to consider the longterm consequences.

I’m sure Apple appreciates your concern, but they’ll be ok. Cook probably only has another two or three decades of tenure so when he decides to leave, they may indeed feel the loss of his supply chain expertise.

But someone else will probably be available to take over Jeff Williams’s spot and the supply chain experts reporting to him
Rating: 2 Votes
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Relentless Power
3 weeks ago

It’s time for Tim to go. The “supply chain genius” does not seem to consider the longterm consequences.


But..Tim isn’t leaving, And I think you know that already, but I digress. But lets talk about what do we know v.s unrealistic projections. The success of the Watch is based on the future suppliers that Apple coordinated through Cooks supply relations. Say what you want, but don’t deny his expertise with what he has executed with logistics/coordination.
Rating: 2 Votes
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Digital Skunk
3 weeks ago
I'm more curious to know where the updates to these products are:

1.) The iPad Pro
2.) The iPod Touch (they really need to make it the size of the iPhone Xs Max (or 11 or whatever)
3.) A true iPad Mini Pro (with the same curved edges and Pencil support as the Pro.
Rating: 1 Votes
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JPack
3 weeks ago


am I the only one surprised they still make iPod touch?


I'd be surprised if Apple dropped iPod any time soon. It's a $199 gateway device into the App Store and an obvious on-ramp to an iPhone purchase down the road.
Rating: 1 Votes
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gadgetgirl85
3 weeks ago


Kuo rumored iPad Pro for 3Q2020. iPod Touch is unlikely to be updated again for another few years, it was just updated about six months ago. I’d also like an iPad mini Pro but I can’t imagine there would be sufficient demand to support a third Pro model.
[automerge]1578000541[/automerge]

Where did you hear that rumor? I wouldn’t expect a refresh for a couple years, they were just released.


Maybe I read the article wrong.
Rating: 1 Votes
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The Game 161
5 days ago at 04:36 am
really am hoping new iPad pros come in march...miss having the 11 inch model.
Rating: 1 Votes
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EugW
3 weeks ago


Perhaps the Chinese ordered Apple to ditch Quanta and this is the face-saving way to announce the split?

Quanta has big manufacturing facilities in China.
Rating: 1 Votes

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