Apple ramps down iPhone orders by up to 25% as new model looms large
Analyst Wu makes bold prediction
Apple has begun to reduce its iPhone orders to manufacturers in anticipation of the launch of a next-generation model.
That's according to Sterne Agree analyst Shaw Wu, who said in a note to investors that checks with Apple suppliers suggested the firm has lowered its orders by between 20-25 percent in the current quarter.
That would result in shipments of between 26-28 million units compared to the 35.1 million shipped by Apple in Q4 2011.
In demand"From our understanding, the reason for the reduction is not demand related but rather due to the upcoming 6th generation iPhone refresh likely in the September-October time frame," said Wu in the note.
Also of interest is what Wu claims are 8.6 million iPhones Apple already has in its channel inventory, meaning it can meet a supply-demand balance of between four to six weeks.
"It appears Apple is opting to be conservative with its suppliers to factor in a potential two-quarter pause ahead of the refresh and also to manage inventory," Wu added.
Wu has previously predicted shipments of the new model would hit 55 million in 2012.
[source: Apple Insider]
