Apple Expected to Stockpile 5G iPhones in Advance Due to Concerns Over Possible Component Shortages

Apple is expected to build up inventories of its upcoming 5G iPhones in advance due to concerns over possible component shortages amid the global health crisis, according to sources cited by the Nikkei Asian Review.

iPhone 12 5G New 1
An excerpt from the report:

Apple has notified several of its suppliers that it plans to make about 213 million iPhones in the 12 months through March 2021, up 4% from the same period a year ago, despite some suppliers' belief that orders could end up being significantly lower, Nikkei has learned.

The report claims that production of current models like the new iPhone SE and the upcoming 5G models will be split nearly 50-50.

Apple plans to release four 5G-enabled iPhones later this year, including one 5.4-inch model, two 6.1-inch models, and one 6.7-inch model, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and other sources. All four models are expected to feature OLED displays, flatter edges like the iPhone 5 or the 2018 and later iPad Pro, and a smaller notch.

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Top Rated Comments

clayj Avatar
63 months ago
Let me know when Apple moves its iPhone manufacturing out of China -- preferably to the US, but really any other country will do.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
m0sher Avatar
63 months ago

Because of health and privacy concerns, I'm not going to support 5G.
That’s false info. Don’t believe that conspiracy stuff.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ksec Avatar
63 months ago
Just a reminder Nikkei Asian Review has very little / poor track record of anything Apple.

They are much more likely to stockpile *component* rather then the assembled iPhone
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kabeyun Avatar
63 months ago

Makes no sense, why stockpile when economic situation gets better later.
This is ridiculous
Tim Cook is the Sage of Supply Chain. I’m going with his judgment.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
63 months ago
If they're having trouble storing any overflow, I'd be more than happy to hold on to a few.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Textime Avatar
63 months ago

Let me know when Apple moves its iPhone manufacturing out of China -- preferably to the US, but really any other country will do.
We must become independent from China - Europe included, especially Germany
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)