AppleInsider Staff
Batteries for Apple's next-generation iPhone may be assembled on fully automated production lines in China, rather than through manual labor, a new rumor out of the Far East claims.
Alleged details on Apple's manufacturing process for the company's anticipated "iPhone 6" were shared on Monday by DigiTimes, a Taiwanese publication with a notorious reputation for being the source of bogus Apple-related rumors. However, in the case of its latest story, there is a precedent, as Apple already relies heavily on automation, rather than worker-driven manual assembly, for its made-in-America Mac Pro and iMac desktops.
The anticipated move by Apple is said to be driven by increasing cost of minimum wage in China. Younger workers are also said to be avoiding jobs in the manufacturing industry, leading to labor shortages and high turnover.
While automated production lines would allow Apple to move manufacturing wherever the company pleases, Monday's report said it's unlikely that iPhone assembly would be moved from China, as most other component supply partners are still based out of the Far East.
Batteries in Apple's next-generation devices have been the subject of much speculation in recent months, after it was revealed that Apple executives have held discussions with electric car maker Tesla. Tesla's forthcoming mega battery factory in the U.S. has been seen by some as a potential partnership opportunity between the two forward thinking companies.
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
50 Comments
Sure, let's make more people unemployed. Hell, let's automate everything and let everyone be unemployed! Then people can REALLY have time to buy products with the money they don't have. That's really going to help the world's economies right there.
Whilst I empathise with the sentiment of your reply, I suspect the picture is far more complicated than your reply suggests: The working conditions in a battery factory could be horrid, no place for the emerging middle classes, or are you suggesting cheep labour? Hand made might make the product too expensive, and therefor reduced sales, and therefor employment. Automated would improve the chances of production heading back west, to the political delight of many on this forum. And lastly I can't help but wonder how much a totally handmade iPhone or ipad would cost? More than I could afford I suspect!
Horses and buggies were trolled the same way. :( Anyone know where I can get seat covers for my Datsun?
[quote name="AjbDtc826" url="/t/171070/rumor-apple-to-switch-to-automated-battery-assembly-for-this-years-iphone-6#post_2498619"]Sure, let's make more people unemployed. Hell, let's automate everything and let everyone be unemployed! Then people can REALLY have time to buy products with the money they don't have. That's really going to help the world's economies right there.[/quote] /sarcasm Maybe if they just increased minimum wage to $100/hr then everyone would be rich! /sarcasm. labor, like any other input, is an expense. Would you expect apple to continue paying the same cost for an iPhone display if they found a manufacturer with a new process that could produce the same or better quality for significantly less money? If apple could some how build some massive plant that would automate the production of every component and then automate the assembly of an iPhone, the actual cost of the device would be significantly reduced and as a result the end user price would likely fall giving apple a significant competitive advantage. Yes I'm sure it would impact Foxconn significantly but I'm sure they could adapt their manufacturing prowess to other electronic devices. However this is not of Apple's (or it's shareholders) concern. -PopinFRESH
[quote name="PopinFRESH" url="/t/171070/rumor-apple-to-switch-to-automated-battery-assembly-for-this-years-iphone-6#post_2498711"] /sarcasm Maybe if they just increased minimum wage to $100/hr then everyone would be rich! /sarcasm. labor, like any other input, is an expense. Would you expect apple to continue paying the same cost for an iPhone display if they found a manufacturer with a new process that could produce the same or better quality for significantly less money? If apple could some how build some massive plant that would automate the production of every component and then automate the assembly of an iPhone, the actual cost of the device would be significantly reduced and as a result the end user price would likely fall giving apple a significant competitive advantage. Yes I'm sure it would impact Foxconn significantly but I'm sure they could adapt their manufacturing prowess to other electronic devices. However this is not of Apple's (or it's shareholders) concern. -PopinFRESH[/quote] Well put