Apple rumored to be expanding iPhone production to Foxconn subsidiary

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
Foxconn International Holdings, a subsidiary of Foxconn Technology and the largest cellphone manufacturer in the world, will reportedly take orders to build certain iPhone models in the company's first-ever Apple partnership.

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Shares of Foxconn International Holdings (FIH) rose more than ten percent on Friday local China time, after a brokerage report claimed the company may start manufacturing an iteration of Apple's iPhone within the next few months, reports Reuters.

According to findings from Daiwa Capital Markets, FIH is likely to get iPhone orders "soon," despite not having any previous or current business dealings with Apple. The Foxconn Technology subsidiary is the world's largest contract maker of mobile phones, and builds products for Nokia, Huawei and ZTE, however the manufacturer has never been tapped to assemble Apple devices.

"Our industry research indicates that FIH is likely to start producing iPhones in late 2012 or early 2013," Daiwa's report said.

The news comes on the heels of a report claiming quality control issues have hampered Foxconn's ability to produce enough iPhone 5 units to keep up with expectedly massive demand.

It was said that Apple's decision to return to a metal back casing, instead of the "glass sandwich" design seen with the iPhone 4 and 4S, has caused issues with nicks and scratches appearing on brand new out-of-the-box units. Dubbed "scuffgate," the blemishes reportedly prompted Apple to instruct Foxconn to employ stricter quality control methods, which subsequently lower production yield rates.

It is unclear whether Friday's reported expansion to another iPhone producer stems from the purported manufacturing problems, though it is well known that stock of Apple's newest smartphone has been constrained since the product launched in September.

FIH declined to comment on the matter, but said it will release an official statement later today.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 18


    KidnappingMoreChineseCitizensToWorkAsSlavesInTheirFactoriesgate.

  • Reply 2 of 18
    It really begs the question; why Apple has not tapped this resource earlier.
    ...Like, YEARS earlier?
  • Reply 3 of 18
    freerangefreerange Posts: 1,597member
    They can't even come close to meeting demand, yet the stock takes a huge hit. Time to load up on Apple at this price!
  • Reply 4 of 18
    rbrrbr Posts: 631member


    Didn't anyone at Apple actually look at whether the design could actually be mass produced? It looks like somebody slept through that class.


     


    If the back is getting dinged and scratched up in assembly, what is it going to look like after it has been used a month?


     


    Somebody goofed, big time, on this one.

     

  • Reply 5 of 18
    sockrolidsockrolid Posts: 2,789member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by RBR View Post


    ...


    If the back is getting dinged and scratched up in assembly, what is it going to look like after it has been used a month?


    ...



     


    Why don't you buy an iPhone 5, use it for a month, then give us a full report?


     


    You know, just so you'll have something to contribute.

  • Reply 6 of 18
    rbrrbr Posts: 631member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SockRolid View Post


     


    Why don't you buy an iPhone 5, use it for a month, then give us a full report?


     


    You know, just so you'll have something to contribute.





    Are you really that dense?


     


    If Apple can't get it off the assembly line without it getting scratched and dented, just how do you expect to use it without it getting messed up even more?


     


    Think before you stick your foot in your mouth. Now that it is in your mouth, chew vigorously.

  • Reply 7 of 18
    hill60hill60 Posts: 6,992member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by RBR View Post




    Are you really that dense?


     


    If Apple can't get it off the assembly line without it getting scratched and dented, just how do you expect to use it without it getting messed up even more?


     


    Think before you stick your foot in your mouth. Now that it is in your mouth, chew vigorously.



     


    My one isn't "scratched and dented" although I did get a small nick from being in my pocket with my keys.


     


    Nothing a quick dab with a Sharpie couldn't fix.

  • Reply 8 of 18
    quinneyquinney Posts: 2,528member
    I hope they will be assembling the special China Mobile version.
  • Reply 9 of 18
    realisticrealistic Posts: 1,154member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by RBR View Post




    Are you really that dense?


     


    If Apple can't get it off the assembly line without it getting scratched and dented, just how do you expect to use it without it getting messed up even more?


     


    Think before you stick your foot in your mouth. Now that it is in your mouth, chew vigorously.





    Do you know what percentage of IP5s have scratches or dents upon delivery or how easy or hard it is to scratch an IP5? Is this a widespread problem or an overblown non-issue?

  • Reply 10 of 18
    dilliodillio Posts: 106member
    It's pretty disappointing to see this supply problem. I agree Apple goofed up big time. I tried to buy 2, for picking up in store the next day, then that did not work, then I ordered online. 3-4 weeks away. The only good news is the batch I'll get will probably not knicked before I take it out of the box, because they seem to try to address those problems.

    This is just too bad, does not make Apple look good. Hope they get their act together.
  • Reply 11 of 18
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Realistic View Post


    Do you know what percentage of IP5s have scratches or dents upon delivery or how easy or hard it is to scratch an IP5? Is this a widespread problem or an overblown non-issue?

     

    Mine is White & Silver 32GB and it is fine and immaculate and I AM FUSSY - to the extent I have 2 layers of screen protector (mirrored and normal, to cover the mirrored layer), I got back case and I put it in a pouch - the same thing I did with my 3GS and 4S. Thinking of getting the Zagg too like I did with my 3rd gen iPad. I say not widespread as it claimed to be.

    Maybe somebody could do a quick poll here but I doubt it will be a legit one since there are Fandroids in here as well. Internet don't lie they say.
  • Reply 12 of 18
    What's stopping Foxconn from opening a North-American subsidiary? Is it simply wage rates, or are there any other issues?
  • Reply 13 of 18
    aaarrrggghaaarrrgggh Posts: 1,609member
    freerange wrote: »
    They can't even come close to meeting demand, yet the stock takes a huge hit. Time to load up on Apple at this price!

    Not so sure about that one. I am extremely long AAPL as a disclaimer, and I think AAPL should earn $10/share for the September quarter, and am hopeful that AAPL will guide to $15 for December. With September numbers, I can't see how AAPL can be below $700 in a rational world, or how they can't be close to $800 in January.

    But... the politicians worry me. Not politicians of any party specifically, but collectively they don't seem to have the country/world's best interests in mind with their actions. This holds for the US in spades, but is also true of Germany, France, and the PIIGS. I start thinking about putting shiny metal under the mattress. (I don't think food would be as hygienic.)

    This is all very likely to be slingshot action, but I'm not really sure who pulls the strings anymore and if they are going to eventually pull too hard.
  • Reply 14 of 18

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by RBR View Post


    Didn't anyone at Apple actually look at whether the design could actually be mass produced? It looks like somebody slept through that class.


     


    If the back is getting dinged and scratched up in assembly, what is it going to look like after it has been used a month?


     


    Somebody goofed, big time, on this one.

     



     


    Quote:

    Originally Posted by RBR View Post




    Are you really that dense?


     


    If Apple can't get it off the assembly line without it getting scratched and dented, just how do you expect to use it without it getting messed up even more?


     


    Think before you stick your foot in your mouth. Now that it is in your mouth, chew vigorously.



     


    The foot is strictly in your mouth. If you know nothing about engineering and manufacturing, you should keep quiet on such topics. Or at least, you should use common sense. There are millions and millions of other products in the world made of the same materials. Should they all be taken off the shelves? Just how many iPhone 5 units are scuffed out of the box? Is it a higher percentage than what we see with other products? If it was made of plastic and not handled carelessly during assembly, would it be pristine?


     


    You just might be one of the dumbest people here. And there are some seriously dumb ones.

  • Reply 15 of 18

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by RBR View Post


     


    If the back is getting dinged and scratched up in assembly, what is it going to look like after it has been used a month?


     


    Somebody goofed, big time, on this one.

     



     


    At first glance it would seem so, but a common use-case would be the person who immediately goes out and buys a nice case to personalize/protect their new iDevice.  Some cases tend to add enough weight that makes one wish the device itself weighed less to begin with.  High-grade aluminum with a black anodized finish fits the bill for this use case. Its lightweight and initial curb-appeal is enough until the new case goes on.  In my experiences with black anodized aluminum, scuffs and imperfections where almost always present.  Notwithstanding, as a product designer I would make the same decision given the same use-case.  This material and finish combination delivers good results, especially if an external case will be used.  There are however better choices if the device is meant to be unprotected long-term.  In fact, I was always impressed with the glass back on the 4/4S, as it never scuffed [for me] when out of its case. Quite elegant, but who would know when its in its case.  I strongly suspect Team Ive designed for the case-lover.

  • Reply 16 of 18
    tskwara wrote: »
    At first glance it would seem so, but a common use-case would be the person who immediately goes out and buys a nice case to personalize/protect their new iDevice.  Some cases tend to add enough weight that makes one wish the device itself weighed less to begin with.  High-grade aluminum with a black anodized finish fits the bill for this use case. Its lightweight and initial curb-appeal is enough until the new case goes on.  In my experiences with black anodized aluminum, scuffs and imperfections where almost always present.  Notwithstanding, as a product designer I would make the same decision given the same use-case.  This material and finish combination delivers good results, especially if an external case will be used.  There are however better choices if the device is meant to be unprotected long-term.  In fact, I was always impressed with the glass back on the 4/4S, as it never scuffed [for me] when out of its case. Quite elegant, but who would know when its in its case.  I strongly suspect Team Ive designed for the case-lover.

    Good point as my previous 4,4s and now my 5 all have Otterbox defenders on them.
  • Reply 17 of 18
    jfc1138jfc1138 Posts: 3,090member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tskwara View Post


     


    At first glance it would seem so, but a common use-case would be the person who immediately goes out and buys a nice case to personalize/protect their new iDevice.  Some cases tend to add enough weight that makes one wish the device itself weighed less to begin with.  High-grade aluminum with a black anodized finish fits the bill for this use case. Its lightweight and initial curb-appeal is enough until the new case goes on.  In my experiences with black anodized aluminum, scuffs and imperfections where almost always present.  Notwithstanding, as a product designer I would make the same decision given the same use-case.  This material and finish combination delivers good results, especially if an external case will be used.  There are however better choices if the device is meant to be unprotected long-term.  In fact, I was always impressed with the glass back on the 4/4S, as it never scuffed [for me] when out of its case. Quite elegant, but who would know when its in its case.  I strongly suspect Team Ive designed for the case-lover.



    Yep, 3Gs, 4, 4s all went to Gazelle "flawless" and got paid out that way. Every one of them cased from day 1. I loved the look of the uncased 4's but they were destined to just get stuck in my pocket with my coins and keys..... SO the lightweight 5, with a case feels much better in the pocket than the heavier and perhaps more robust surfaces: to the point "losing" it in a pocket and sitting on it has become an issue.

  • Reply 18 of 18


    Go and multiple the problems

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