Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is gearing up to take the tech world by storm with its iPhone 6 on September 9. However, supply chain sources recently told Reuters that Apple’s forthcoming phone is facing supply chain issues that could lead to product delays or limited supplies. The iPhone 6 launch is unlikely to be delayed, JPMorgan analyst Rod Hall said in a research note Monday.
iPhone 6 has been subject to multiple delay rumors
Hall said the rumors of production issues and delays are a “typical late-in-the-game supply chain story” that doesn’t have any impact on product launch dates and sales. If there is any truth in these rumors, the initial iPhone 6 supply could be somewhat slowed. But the unit volume in the fall won’t be affected, said JPMorgan. The Cupertino company is widely expected to unveil the iPhone 6 in two display sizes of 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch.
Over the past few weeks, the iPhone 6 has been subjected to numerous rumors of a delay. Most of them have pointed to a pushback of the 5.5-inch variant, which will reportedly be called iPhone 6L. Rumor mill has claimed in the past that the 5.5-inch version was affected by battery issues. Other reports said that the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 is unlikely to hit the markets before 2015.
Apple to launch iPhone 6 as planned
Reuters said last week that suppliers are running behind the schedule to get enough iPhone 6 screens ready. Display shortage issues emerged after Apple decided to redesign the backlight that illuminates the screen. Apple’s existing devices come with two layers of backlight film, but the company wanted to use only a single layer of the film to reduce the thickness of the iPhone 6. Apple wasn’t happy with the new design with the single layer of backlight film that engineers came up with. So, the company trashed that plan. Meanwhile, screen production was put on hold for several weeks.
Reuters hasn’t always been reliable when it comes to information about Apple’s new products. Last year, the publication claimed that the iPad mini with retina display would be pushed back to 2014 due to supply issues. But Apple went on to launch the high-resolution iPad mini in 2013. This time, Apple suppliers will reportedly be producing more than 70 million units of the iPhone 6 by the yea-end. The company anticipates huge demand for the big-screen iPhones.
Apple shares rose 0.59% to $101.91 at 11:09 AM EDT on Tuesday.
