A report from the Asian website DigiTimes claims that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has ordered batteries for the next-generation iPhone (a.k.a. the iPhone 6). The site claims that the company has placed orders with Simplo Technology, which is based in Taiwan, and Shenzhen Desay Battery Technology, which is based in China.
No orders for previous iPhone battery makers
The website’s sources said Dynapack, which supplies batteries both the iPhone 5C and 5S, doesn’t have any orders for the iPhone 6 confirmed at this point. In addition, they claim that more than half of the orders went to Desay and that Dynapack is attempting to talk Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) into placing orders for the iPhone 6 battery with it. At this point the handset hasn’t entered mass production.
DigiTimes’ sources also reportedly said that Sunwoda, another battery supplier based in China, is also trying to get Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to order batteries from it. They said Dynapack remains the iPhone 5’s battery supplier and will keep supplying them until 2015. They believe this will give the company more chances to convince Apple to order from it.
Other suppliers believe Dynapack could improve its gross margins if it focused more on being a supplier for other smartphone makers. Profits on iPhone batteries are lower than profits on batteries for notebooks.
What’s the iPhone 6 release date?
Currently it’s anyone’s guess when Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will launch the iPhone 6. Many remain convinced that it will be released as early as June. However, others are sure Apple will stick to its previous schedules and release the handset in September.
UBS analyst Steve Milunovich said this week that his checks of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s supply chain suggest a launch as early as August but also possibly in September. But no matter when it comes out, most agree that the iPhone 6 must have a larger screen than previous models in order for Apple to remain a serious player in the smartphone game.
