Apple cuts production of new iPhone as it launches new iPads
Reports have emerged Apple has cut production of one of its new iPhones less than two weeks after it hit stores – and now the tech giant is launching other new products.
Apple has reportedly cut production of its iPhone 14 Plus to re-evaluate demand less than two weeks after its debut in stores.
At least one manufacturer in China has been told to immediately halt production of iPhone 14 Plus components and two Apple suppliers in China that use the parts to assemble them into larger modules are also cutting their production by 70 per cent and 90 per cent respectively, according to US tech publication The Information.
Apple shares dipped on Tuesday local time, losing about $4 per share when the news broke.
Apple has not commented on the report.
In the week before the new iPhone 14 Plus debuted on October 7, Apple shares took a tumble to a two-month low after Bloomberg reported the company had backed off plans to increase iPhone 14 production. The iPhone 14 hit stores on September 16.
The iPhone 14 Plus with a 6.7-inch screen starts at $1579 in Australia and the regular iPhone 14 with a 6.1-inch screen starts at $1399.
The Plus is a cheaper alternative to the Pro Max (also with a 6.7-inch screen), which starts at $1899.
On the same day reports emerged Apple was cutting iPhone 14 Plus production, the company announced new versions of its iPad Pros, a new 10th-generation iPad and an updated Apple TV 4K.
Last holiday season, the quarter ending December 25, 2021, Apple’s revenue from iPad sales was down 14 per cent compared to the same time the previous year.
In the most recent quarter, ending June 25, 2022, iPad revenue was down 2 per cent.
The redesigned regular iPad is all-screen. The home button with fingerprint recognition has been moved to the top of the device and for the first time, the front-facing camera is on the landscape edge.
It will be in stores from October 27 and is available in four colours: blue, pink, yellow and silver.
The starting price for the Wi-Fi model is $749 and the Wi-Fi and Cellular model starts at $999. The new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be available in silver and space grey from the same date.
The Wi-Fi model starts at $1399 for 11-inch and $1899 for 12.9-inch. The Wi-Fi and Cellular model starts at 1649 for 11-inch and $2149 for 12.9-inch.
The new Apple TV 4K with Siri Remote will be available from November 4 and starts at $219.
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