Foxconn, other Asian suppliers ramp up preparations for iPhone 8
Analysts see Foxconn as sole supplier for top-of-the-line model with 5.8-inch OLED touch screen, due out in the second half of this year
Key suppliers of Apple in Asia are poised to ratchet up preparations for the next version of the iPhone, with Taiwanese contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry expected to handle the most challenging and expensive model to assemble, according to analysts.
“While Apple has diversified its supply chain over the last few years, Hon Hai remains responsible for assembling the newest and most expensive model due to its long experience in the business and ability to ramp up production better than other electronics manufacturing services providers,” said J P Morgan Asia technology analyst Gokul Hariharan.
“This time around, Hon Hai is handling the model that will have the most new features.”
This time around, Hon Hai is handling the model that will have the most new features
Hon Hai, widely known under its trade name Foxconn, is forecast by many analysts to be Apple’s sole supplier for the top-of-the-line iPhone 8 with a 5.8-inch organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch screen, which is due out in the second half of this year.
The two other new iPhones that Apple is anticipated to launch in the third quarter of this year are models with a 4.7 inch and a 5.5-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) touch screen.
J P Morgan has reported that the high-end OLED “iPhone Pro” model is likely to have 3D facial recognition, front and back glass casing, a main camera that supports so-called augmented reality applications, wireless charging and a price tag of about US$1,000.
The revenue exposure of rival Taiwanese contract manufacturer Pegatron Corp is expected to be larger at up to 55 per cent this year, while Wistron Corp’s is forecast at up to 25 per cent.