Rumor: Fingerprint sensor production could limit Apple to 4M 'iPhone 5S' units this quarter
An alleged delay in production of fingerprint sensors could severely restrict how many "iPhone 5S" units Apple is capable of building this quarter, a new rumor claims.
Artist's conception of a possible iPhone 5S. Source: AppleInsider
The details were reported on Monday by DigiTimes, a Taiwanese tech site frequently lambasted for its questionable track record on Apple rumors. In its latest report, the site claims Apple may only be able to build between 3 million and 4 million units of the anticipated "iPhone 5S" in the third quarter.
The report alleges that mass production of fingerprint sensors for the next iPhone was set to begin in May through Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., before they were packaged at Xintec. But those plans were reportedly delayed "due to issues related to integration between iOS 7 and fingerprint chips."
Apple is said to have put together an engineering team at Xintec in an effort to improve yield rates in packaging the fingerprint sensors. Volume production is allegedly expected to begin by the end of August, allowing Apple to produce as many as 30 million "iPhone 5S" units in the fourth quarter of calendar 2013.
Apple's next flagship iPhone is expected to have a fingerprint sensor included beneath its home button. Well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicated this weekend that the new home button will be convex rather than concave, and will feature a sapphire cover to prevent scratches.
The next iPhone is expected to be introduced by Apple at a media event on Sept. 10. If past release schedules hold again this year, that would place the launch of the "iPhone 5S" on Friday, Sept. 20.
Artist's conception of a possible iPhone 5S. Source: AppleInsider
The details were reported on Monday by DigiTimes, a Taiwanese tech site frequently lambasted for its questionable track record on Apple rumors. In its latest report, the site claims Apple may only be able to build between 3 million and 4 million units of the anticipated "iPhone 5S" in the third quarter.
The report alleges that mass production of fingerprint sensors for the next iPhone was set to begin in May through Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., before they were packaged at Xintec. But those plans were reportedly delayed "due to issues related to integration between iOS 7 and fingerprint chips."
Apple is said to have put together an engineering team at Xintec in an effort to improve yield rates in packaging the fingerprint sensors. Volume production is allegedly expected to begin by the end of August, allowing Apple to produce as many as 30 million "iPhone 5S" units in the fourth quarter of calendar 2013.
Apple's next flagship iPhone is expected to have a fingerprint sensor included beneath its home button. Well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicated this weekend that the new home button will be convex rather than concave, and will feature a sapphire cover to prevent scratches.
The next iPhone is expected to be introduced by Apple at a media event on Sept. 10. If past release schedules hold again this year, that would place the launch of the "iPhone 5S" on Friday, Sept. 20.
Comments
This 'story' arrives just as predicted !
Really? If you read AI at all, this is pretty much standard.
1. Start a rumor about some technology that Apple will use in future iDevices.
2. Later, start a rumor that the technology is slated for a specific iDevice.
3. Start a rumor that shortages of that technology will limit production of said iDevice.
4. Later, after the iDevice is released, backpedal. Either:
a. Say that they were unable to use the technology because it wasn't ready but it will be in a future iDevice
b. Say that improvements in yield allowed them to ship more than expected
5. Rinse, repeat.
It's so standard that it could be automated.
"The details were reported on Monday by DigiTimes, a Taiwanese tech site frequently lambasted for its questionable track record on Apple rumors. In its latest report,"
Then why reprint this crap on AI? We have enough people trying to manipulate AAPL already. And we know the anti-Apple tech blogs like C|net and MacRumors will pick this up and run with it. So why buy into this AI management? Why?
Because it generates advertising revenue.
Next question?
Is it time to put it on eBay yet?
This is the kind of reason why Gruber detests this website (AI).
As a rule, if the news for Apple is good, AAPL goes down and visa versa.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogifan
So this is why Apple stock is up $8 so far today (when other tech stocks are in the red)?
Anticipation of a very good December quarter due to new product announcements.
December revenue is always good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gatorguy
December revenue is always good.
Which is why Apple stock prices tend to go up before.
4M, that means it'll be sold out before the launch weekend is over ... iphone 5 did 5mil (http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2012/09/24iPhone-5-First-Weekend-Sales-Top-Five-Million.html)
You're confused. With Apple, it's always opposite day.
If demand is high enough that they can't fulfill all orders instantaneously, that's bad.
If demand is low enough that there is even a single unsold phone, that's bad.
If a new product is late, it's bad planning and that's bad.
If a new product is early, Apple released it before it's ready because they're scared and that's bad.
If they lower the price of a product, that's a sign of desperation and that's bad.
If they raise the price of a product, they will scare away customers and that's bad.
If they introduce more than one phone at a time, they've lost focus and that's bad.
If they keep selling only the same number of SKUs, they've lost the ability to innovate and that's bad.
If they keep the outer appearance the same, the competitors have passed them and that's bad.
If they change the outer appearance, that hurts their partners and developers and that's bad.
It really does make the analysts' job easier, though. No matter what happens, it's bad news for Apple. :smokey:
Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyAppleUser
If all these rumors are true, then monkeys will fly out of Steve Ballmer's(sp?) ass.
Mind you, that would explain a lot of what's been going on at Microsoft.