14 DAY TRIAL //
Apple launched the iPhone 7 with much fanfare in the fall, but the lack of innovation and the similarities between the new model and its predecessor are dramatically affecting sales, with Cupertino now preparing a substantial decrease in production, a new report states.
Japanese daily Nikkei reveals that Apple plans to trim production of the iPhone by as much as 10 percent in the first quarter of the next year particularly because both the standard and the Plus models are selling fewer units than expected.
Surprisingly, the Plus has become more successful than the smaller iPhone, Nikkei writes, but its sales are below expectations as well because of a different reason.
It looks like a shortage of camera sensors is impacting sales of the iPhone 7 Plus because Apple can’t build enough units to cope with demand - the Plus comes with a dual-camera system that uses two lenses instead of one, thus requiring more complex hardware than a traditional model.
Apple still claiming the iPhone 7 is a hit
Apple is obviously yet to acknowledge the rumored adjustments of iPhone 7 production, but such news wouldn’t come as a big surprise given the fact that Cupertino already reduced production of this model in September because of iPhone 6s inventories.
The same source notes that Apple was forced to cut production of the iPhone 7 just before its launch by 20 percent because of the existing iPhone 6s stock.
The iPhone 7 is very similar in terms of looks and features to its predecessor, while at the same time causing controversy and criticism due to a number of changes, such as the removal of the headphone jack. These have all contributed to declining demand for the iPhone, with Apple now believed to be putting all of its hopes into the next-generation model celebrating the 10th anniversary of the iPhone.
Rumor has it that the 2017 iPhone would come with many more improvements, including an OLED display, as well as new features, such as wireless charging and a bezel-less design.