Apple is rumoured to have negotiated cheaper components for its iPhones and iPads in a bid to chase down buyers in the emerging and pre-paid markets. This comes on the back of a recently increased outlook for production of its mobile phone and tablet products, from which Chinese touchscreen manufacturer, Wintek, is expecting to benefit.The touch panel maker said shipments of the components showed growth in the second quarter.
The second half of the year is looking promising for touch panel orders with e-book manufacturers also adopting the technology to enhance e-readers.
Demand from smartphone and tablet PC firms had been moderate in the first half of 2011, said Wintek, but with Apple’s iPhone 5 reported to begin assembly in ‘mid to late August’ ahead of a projected third quarter launch, the future is looking increasingly bright.
The company said Apple planned to increase orders which would add around NT$1.2-1.5 billion to Wintek’s quarterly revenues, according to Digitimes.
Morgan Stanley analyst, Katy Huberty, has predicted that the new iPhone will be available to consumers sometime in September, according to appleinsider.com.
In a note issued to clients, she said: “Apple’s next iPhone will begin production in mid to late August and ramp aggressively” into the calendar fourth quarter.
The company predicted a full year estimate of 72 million units to be produced.
Huberty also notes the drive for lower priced iPhones with Apple reportedly negotiating harsh price cuts with some suppliers. The cost-cutting drive is a move by Apple to see large iPhone unit increases in 2012 to make gains in emerging and pre-paid mobile markets.
Steve Jobs’ giant is also rumoured to have demanded price cuts of as much as 10 percent from iPad suppliers to up production of the device.
The Cupertino based tech giant is also rumoured to be working on a Smart TV prototype that is powered by its iOS platform. Huberty said: “We also believe Apple is in the early design stages for a TV, which could add $19 billion and $4.50 of annual revenue and EPS longer-term,” she said.
