Foxconn Stops iPhone 5C Production Due to Lag in Sales and to Boost iPhone 5S Availability
One of Foxconn's factories is stopping the production of iPhone 5C, according to a report from Digitimes.
The report cited industry sources saying that Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) will stop production of the iPhone 5C at its factory in Zhengzhou in northern China to focus on the production of iPhone 5S.
The main reason behind the halting of the iPhone 5C production is due to the lag in sales. Unfortunately, iPhone 5S does not share the same success as iPhone 5S. According to reports, iPhone 5C disappoints buyers for being a low cost model of iPhone. Primarily, iPhone 5C's coloured plastic body was a turn-off for Apple users who like the modern design and metal body of the iPhone 5S. Moreover, some consumers are buying iPhone 5 that has the same specs as cheaper iPhone model.
Initially, Apple predicted that iPhone 5C will be well-received of consumers considering its cheaper price. However, it seemed that the company is wrong. The iPhone 5C seems like it is nowhere near as popular as Apple. There are various reports saying that the Cupertino-based company is cutting back the production of the device from its suppliers.
Meanwhile, Foxconn will be concentrating solely in iPhone 5S production in order to meet the overwhelming demand on iPhone 5S. The handset takes longer time to make due to the inclusion of fingerprint sensor.
Earlier this month, Wall Street Journal reported that Apple will add more companies to its supply chain to take over the production of the iPhone 5C as well as the iPad mini. One of the companies, Wistron, is expected to begin production of the iPhone 5C later this year, with the other, Compal Communications, likely to start manufacturing the iPad mini next year. Wistron and Compal will join the existing Apple suppliers, Foxconn and Pegatron.
According to the latest report from Apple, iPhone 5S sales are doing well and are currently experiencing limited supply. Thus, consumers must not expect an earlier release date of the next iPhone. Moreover, increasing the availability of iPhone5S suggests that iPhone 6 release date may not be anytime soon as Apple wants to sell more units of iPhone 5S.