AppleInsider Staff
A new rumor out of the Far East on Wednesday claims Apple has cut shipments of the iPad mini by between 10 to 12 million units going into the second quarter, suggesting the company could already ramping down for a next-generation version.
According to multiple DigiTimes sources, who provide the publication with supply chain information related to various components of Apple's 7.9-inch tablet, the shipment cut could peak at 20 percent in April and continue throughout the second quarter.
If the numbers are correct, the decrease may bring total iPad mini shipments to as low as 10 million units for the three month period ending in June.
No specifics were given as to the reasoning behind the drawdown, but the publication claims Apple is adjusting channel reserves for a next-generation model expected to be unveiled in the third quarter. The sources speculate the cut is due to heightened competition from rival 7-inch form factor tablets running Google's Android operating system.
Market research firm NPD noted in February that Apple is likely to ship 55 million iPad minis and 33 million iPads in 2013, a significant change from Cupertino's December expectations of 40 million and 60 million units, respectively.
It was reported earlier in March that Apple was making preparations for a third-quarter launch of the second-generation iPad mini, which will supposedly boast an upgraded Retina display.
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Marko Zivkovic
25 Comments
No more DigiTimes articles please.
But there are multiple sources this time... it must be true!
i heard a rumor that digitimes' parent company was going bankrupt and would be ceasing all operations by next tuesday ... sad.
Apple is doomed (beat TS)
My logic would indicate that they might be cutting the models that aren't selling as well as another. They have two color choices, 3 different memory choices, and 2 different choices for WIFI or CellularWIFI. That's a total of 12 different models to choose from. I can understand that out of the 12, there might be some that sell better than other models.
The other thing is that Apple did something similar when they announced the iPad 3 (4th gen) with the iPad 2, they slimmed down the offerings to the most popular models 32GB. So, it wouldn't surprise me if they are coming out with a new model and just slimming down the models to be offered for next quarter.
I'm surprised Apple hasn't made any product announcements this quarter. Usually they make at least one product announcement.