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Bloomberg
Apple Inc has told suppliers to increase production of its latest iPhone 11 range by as much as 10% to meet stronger-than-expected sales of the new handsets, the Nikkei Asian Review reported, affirming resilient demand for the company’s most important gadget.
The boost would add 7 million to 8 million units to what the Cupertino, Calif-based company had initially planned on, the Nikkei cited anonymous sources as saying. Shares in Apple suppliers from Murata Manufacturing Co and Alps Alpine Co in Tokyo to AAC Technologies Holdings Inc in Hong Kong climbed after the report. An Apple spokesperson in Japan declined to comment.
It is not unusual for Apple to gradually ramp up orders as it gauges demand after launch and builds up to the holiday shopping season.
The US company has stuck with a previous projection
for sales of up to 75 million new iPhones in the second half, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified discussing internal estimates.
But Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has telegraphed strong initial sales of his company’s most profitable product, spurring expectations that demand for the iPhone 11 will hold up despite global smartphone malaise. The CEO told French daily Les Echos he foresaw a new growth cycle in the market.
Major improvements to the iPhone’s camera, including the addition of a new ultrawide lens for better architectural and tourist photos, alongside better battery life and improved durability may have resonated with consumers. And a decision to lower the iPhone 11’s starting price by $50, to $699, may also have drawn in more budget-conscious consumers in a weaker global economy.
‘Some older iPhones may not turn on due to failed part’
Bloomberg
Apple Inc said that some iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models manufactured between October 2018 and August 2019 may not turn on due to a failed part. The company offered a free repair program for users who are affected.
The iPhone 6s line originally went on sale in September 2015, but was officially discontinued in September 2018 with the launch of last year’s iPhones.
Still, Apple continued producing some iPhone 6s models for sale in select markets, including India.
The repair programme is the sixth for Apple this year, according to the company’s website. Earlier this year, it opened repair or recall programs for the old 15-inch MacBook Pro’s battery, some wall adapters, the 13-inch MacBook Pro display back light, MacBook keyboards, and screens on the Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 3.