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The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple has cut orders for iPhone 5 components due to “weaker-than-expected demand” for the device.
Citing “people familiar with the situation”, the Journal claims that Apple has cut its orders of iPhone 5 screens for the January-March quarter, for instance, by half. If the rumours are true, they suggest that the phone isn’t selling as well as Apple anticipated — or, more unlikely, that its plans are changing.
Certainly, Apple’s share of the smartphone market has been shrinking of recent times, dropping from a peak of 23 per cent in the final quarter of 2011 to 15 per cent in the third quarter of 2012. Elsewhere, Android is going from strength to strength — with Samsung stealing Apple’s lead, now commanding 31 per cent of smartphone sales. Changes aside, though, it’s worth remembering that Apple’s position is slipping from what was a very strong position: it sold 27 million phones in the third quarter of 2012, after all.
If the rumours are true, and order cuts do reflect ailing sales, it will be interesting to see how Apple adapts in order to breathe life into the brand. Equally, though, it might be sensible to hold off and consider Apple’s latest earning figures — expected sometime later this month — before we all speculate too wildy. [WSJ]
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” Equally, though, it might be sensible to hold off and consider Apple’s latest earning figures — expected sometime later this month — before we all speculate too wildy.” – Giz Writer calls for restraint instead of wild Apple based speculation, it’s a sign of the end times.
Truly these are the end of times! Repent! Repent!
Finally people are starting to wake up and see how little progress and lack of innovation the last two iPhones had. The OS is even looking dated now. No doubt the next model will just be a bit faster, bit thinner, have wireless charging that only works with Apple’s own standard and be available in multiple bright colours.
Before the usual suspects jump down my throat this is just MY OPINION.
how dare you hold an opinion.
Your opinion looks just like the patented iOpinion.
Immediate legal action will be taken and a ban on all your opinions will be sought.
Don’t forget it will introduce the revolutionary concept of iTap that will use a near-field communicator to exchange data by simply swiping your iphone over a terminal. Once again Apple leads the way in tech innovation….
If this is true, I would like to hope it’s down to the atrocious build quality of the device.
I had to get my first iP5 replaced within a week due to scratches straight out the box. I’ve already got a small ding on the screen, and this is within less than a month of ownership. I dread to think what the main body is like under the case. I can also promise that I treat this device as carefully as one could ever hope to.
My iP4 screen was spotless after 2 years, so quite how they can take a step backwards I don’t know.
It is the nicest to repair and if you get the white version it has the nicest build quality of any iPhone yet. The problem with it is IOS sucks but also it isn’t any different really from the iPhones that have come before. The average user has just stuck with the iPhone 4 all this time, most people I know with iPhones say there is no point in upgrading, they look at each device and there isn’t a big enough change.
Though Android is gaining lots of traction thanx to great devices like the GS3, Nexus 4, Note 2, One X etc etc. People are loving the bigger screens, Android has gotten to a point where it is better than IOS and Android phones tend to be cheaper.
Apple need to change things up, they need a big screen and a small screen version like their Laptops and even the iPad and the iPod have different models. They need to change IOS and realise people like Widgets and Live tiles and what ever the fuck other people are calling them. For me they need to realise I need to be able to transfer files on and off the device as I please. I need to have a Micro SD card, I need to be able to install external programs if I want to like Flash Player.
Until they open the phone up a bit and make it versatile like Android is… I ain’t interested.
If it is being out-competed in the market Apple must do what any visionary, tech company dedicated to shaping the future would do; focus on hiring lawyers and running patent cases.
I can understand the novelty is wearing off a little, especially in regards to iOS lack of innovation. However I still upgraded to the iPhone 5 from my iPhone 4 of two years ownership because I wanted something faster, better and trusted. I had a brief look at other alternatives, mainly the GS3, but honestly I saw nothing special feature-wise to lure me over to Android. I compared a colleagues GS3 to my white iPhone 5 and personally I felt the quality of design and craftmanship blew the Samsung away.. I totally understand some people want massive screens and more cores etc.
I agree the UI is starting to stale on iOS, but fact of the matter is, Apps makes the phone..and iOS imo has the better apps; which was the sole reson I dumped BlackBerry two years ago for th iPhone, plus the added fact everything syncs so effortlessly with my other Apple devices..macbook, iPad and iPods and most recently my soundlink air..Yes I am locked into the Apple eco system..but to be quite honest with you, I am happy with my set up, If I wasn’t I would most definitely look elsewhere. I have no brand loyalty, I go for what works best for me. I’ve had my time tinkering with settings and stuff when I would troubleshoot my wifes HTC Desire and owned previous BlackBerrys, so I am happy to just let the phone do what it does..and to me that’s what the iPhone is best at.
Im not buying something thats going to look like the girlfriends car bumper after a few weeks. Jonny Ive needs to learn a thing or 2 about design and how its meant to work in the real world.