Neil Hughes
On a recent trip to visit with tech suppliers in Asia, Morgan Stanley's Katy Huberty received word that multiple new iPhone models will begin production the June-July timeframe.
Apple's new handsets are likely to launch around September, the analyst believes, based on her meetings in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The information aligns with a separate report published on Tuesday that claimed Sharp would begin mass production of so-called "iPhone 5S" LCD displays in June.
In addition to the anticipated iPhone 5 successor, Apple is also rumored to be working on a new low-end iPhone that would be targeted at customers who are not interested in carrier contract subsidies. Huberty's note provided to AppleInsider on Wednesday suggested that Apple could achieve strong sales of a low-end iPhone in China, even if the device were sold for above the market "sweet spot" of about $160 U.S.
As for Apple's current iPhone lineup, Huberty received word that iPhone 5 shipments are now in line with expectations. That's a change from months ago, when supply chain sources were claiming of reduced orders of the iPhone 5, and Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook even publicly said it was a mistake to attempt to decipher supply chain data.
"After a slow start, iPhone 5, is now on track to meet carrier volume expectations and iPhone 4 price cuts could stimulate incremental demand near-term," Huberty wrote. "Carriers see the opportunity for Apple to expand market coverage with 5-inch and lower-priced iPhones over time. TD-LTE licenses, and related phone launches, are expected by year-end."
Morgan Stanley has advised investors with an "overweight" rating for AAPL stock, and a price target of $540.
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
35 Comments
So, anal-lyst have decided once again that AAPL is low enough to earn loads of money again...
why would anyone believe her she has a completely Honorable track record
Sorry I have a hard time believing Apple suppliers would leak product plans to Wall Street analysts. Didn't we get similar supply chain reports earlier this year claiming we'd have new iPads this spring? IIRC didn't we see leaked photos of what was rumored to be the 5th gen iPad case? I wish Apple sites would quit publishing this stuff. I know it drives page views but this isn't news. And these people don't have inside information. They just want their clients to think they do.
ROFL, thanks for confirming what Cook said two weeks ago. Last time I checked September was part of the fall. Must be a slow news day.
Sorry I have a hard time believing Apple suppliers would leak product plans to Wall Street analysts. Didn't we get similar supply chain reports earlier this year claiming we'd have new iPads this spring? IIRC didn't we see leaked photos of what was rumored to be the 5th gen iPad case?
I wish Apple sites would quit publishing this stuff. I know it drives page views but this isn't news. And these people don't have inside information. They just want their clients to think they do.
I don't remember the rumors (if any) about new iPads in spring, but that wouldn't have made sense to begin with. iPad 4 & iPad Mini in October, followed 6 months later by some new iPads seem illogical to me. This report passes the sanity check at least. iPhones are usually released in September, so a build up in June - July would make sense.
The nature of rumor sites are to report... rumors. There are good Apple news sites that concentrate on news only.