FileHippo News

The latest software and tech news

Apple, Inc. has reduced the number of orders it had placed for iPhone 5 components after the company experienced weaker-than-expected demand for its hit... Apple iPhone 5 Sales Weak? Apple Cuts Component Orders

Apple, Inc. has reduced the number of orders it had placed for iPhone 5 components after the company experienced weaker-than-expected demand for its hit product line.

According tot he Wall Street Journal:

“Apple’s orders for iPhone 5 screens for the January-March quarter, for example, have dropped to roughly half of what the company had previously planned to order.”

Apple iPhone 5

Suppliers were notified in December that Apple would reduce the number of display comonents it would order. Other suppliers were also notified that their component orders were being cut to possibly make up for lower than expected demand.

While Apple may have cut orders because of weakened demand, other publications, including Business Insider, believe that the company may have pushed out more device at a faster rate than previously expected. There is also the possibility that Apple may be moving towards a six-month release schedule with the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 set to release earlier than originally expected.

When the iPhone 5 was first released the number of units available for sale were dramatically decreased because of supplier defects, an issue which may have decrease demand for the Apple device as customers evaluated readily available smartphones include the Samsung Galaxy S III. After releasing the iPhone 5 the company was attacked in various Samsung Galaxy S III ads for the lack of several popular features including NFC technology.

Apple sales may also have been hampered by other issues, specifically bugs with the iOS 6 platform and most noticeably the Apple Maps platform.

With the iPhone 5 failing to gain the type of popularity experienced by previous Apple device some recent rumors have speculated more options for the upcoming iPhone 5S or iPhone 6. Rumors have pointed to multiple display sizes, multiple body device colors and other customize friendly features.

What features would lure you toward the next version of the Apple iPhone?

[Image via Engadget]