14 DAY TRIAL // iPhone sales declined for the first time during the last quarter, and there are signs that the drop is likely to continue this quarter, so all eyes are on the way Apple wants to get back to growing sales with the upcoming iPhone 7.
Leaks that have reached the web in the last few months have provided rather contradictory information, and while some claim that the iPhone 7 will be very similar to the iPhone 6s, other believe that Apple’s planning a major overhaul. Sources have told us that the first scenario is more likely, and it looks like, despite this rather small redesign, Cupertino still has high expectations for the iPhone 7.
In a report published today, Barron’s writes, citing the Economic Daily based in Taiwan, that Apple wants its suppliers to produce between 72 and 78 million iPhones this year, a figure that beats estimates and that says a lot as far as the company’s own forecast is concerned.
Multiple suppliers in charge of production
Wall Street estimated that Apple would build somewhere around 65 million iPhones this year, as the company was only trying to buy more time until a bigger iPhone overhaul takes place next month, and thus trying to better align production with demand.
But on the other, Apple is quite optimistic that the iPhone 7 will sell like hot cakes, so the company is working with several suppliers to make sure that it reaches the estimated production numbers. Hon Hai Precision Technology, better known as Foxconn, will assemble the iPhone 7 while Pegatron will help reach Apple’s requested stock.
Several components are said to be key parts of the iPhone 7, including glass casing and dual camera, with the latter very likely to be offered as an exclusive feature on the Plus model.
The iPhone 7 is projected to launch in September, so it makes sense for Apple to finalize production plans at this point, but it’s still safer to take everything as unconfirmed speculation until more information is provided.