Apple sold more than 13 million iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus units during their debut weekend, and the company is preparing to launch the device in 40 more markets next week, with 130 countries set to offer the iPhones by the end of the year. Suppliers that partner with Apple to provide various iPhone 6s components seem ready to offer details about Apple’s iPhone sales performance for the Christmas quarter, but they’re not all on the same page. Some say Apple will hit a new all-time iPhone sales record while others claim that iPhone 6s demand might not be as strong as we think.
Interestingly, the same blog has offered up both reports.
DON’T MISS: iPhone 6s review
Tech site Digitimes issued two conflicting reports over the past few days, each painting a completely different picture of iPhone 6s demand.
A story on Tuesday said that iPhone 6s supply chain companies are “bracing for strong sales” in the fourth quarter. Among them, Digitimes notes Foxconn, Pegatron, Largan Precision and Catcher Technology – the first two are the companies that actually assemble the new iPhones.
The report goes on to say that Foxconn and Pegatron have been running at full capacity “due to brisk sales of pink iPhones and strong demand for the iPhone 6s Plus in China and in other markets.” Furthermore, Apple is seen selling a record of 75 million to 80 million combined iPhone models in the holiday quarter, thanks to strong sales of iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.
Last year, Apple sold 74.5 million iPhones in the Christmas quarter.
However, a report from Digitimes on Thursday claims that IC suppliers are concerned about new iPhone orders. Industry sources have told the site that parts vendors are worried Apple might adjust chip orders downwards for the fourth quarter of the year.
According to a “major analog IC supplier” whose name isn’t mentioned, Apple slightly decreased orders for new iPhone parts for December. It’s not clear what that means. Apparently, IC suppliers have to wait for at least one or two more months to better gauge iPhone demand.
Digitimes says that Apple’s suppliers have kept IC stock for the new iPhones at “high levels for 75 million phones per quarter,” but that target might be lowered to 65 million to 70 million for the fourth quarter.
Even before the iPhone 6s launched, some analysts said Apple might have a tough time beating the 74.5 million sales record from last Christmas, especially because of China.
