14 DAY TRIAL // Amid rumors that Apple is switching to all-automated manufacturing of its batteries for future-generation iPhones, a report from Taiwan says that Simplo Technology and Desay Battery Technology have landed orders to supply power cells for the iPhone 6.
DigiTimes has it on file from sources in the upstream supply chain that “Apple has reportedly placed its next-generation iPhone battery orders with only two suppliers: Taiwan-based Simplo Technology and China-based Shenzhen Desay Battery Technology.”
One of the current suppliers for iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c, Dynapack, has yet to land new orders from the Cupertino giant. The sources noted that “Dynapack is still the battery supplier of the iPhone 5 and will continue to supply batteries until 2015, which should give the company chance to land future orders.”
Desay has nabbed over 50 percent of the orders and, “because the next-generation iPhone still has not yet entered mass production, Dynapack is still trying to court Apple for orders.” A company named Sunwoda, also from China, is trying to land orders as well.
The same Taiwanese site recently cited sources in the supply chain as saying that “Apple is planning to have its iPhone batteries fully manufactured on automated production lines in 2014 to reduce its manpower demand.”
The more recent unveiling seems to be at odds with the rumor about robots handling battery production.
iPhone 6 is expected to roll out in September, while some believe Apple doesn’t afford waiting until then. The company’s Worldwide Developers Conference usually held in June has been used more than once for iPhone unveilings, but Apple has chosen to refresh its smartphones around the fall season in recent years.
The phone’s features remain unknown, with most pundits banking on a refreshed design with a much larger display. Some think the iPhone 6 could actually arrive in two flavors, one with a 4.7-inch display, and the other with a 5.7-inch screen. Tim Cook & Co. are not fans of phablets, making the latter version highly unlikely.
The iPhone maker will reportedly host its first event for 2014 in the next few weeks. The showcase will not focus on the iPhone or the rumored iWatch, but rather on a new TV box which reportedly has an all-new interface and gaming features. The new set-top box will allegedly offer access to the iTunes App Store and users will be able to download apps and games that they can enjoy with an updated remote or third-party controllers.