Apple to Move Production of iPhone Batteries to Automated Lines

[MacRumors]

Apple is set to begin producing all iPhone batteries on automated production lines starting later this year, according to a report from DigiTimes. The move is being done to reduce manpower demand and to allow the company to shift its supply chain resources towards production efforts on other parts.

Apple has already automated its Mac Pro and iMac production lines. Other than materials and final assembly, manpower is not required for the rest of the manufacturing.

The move will likely help Apple with iPhone production going forward, as company supplier Pegatron will reportedly be starting production on the iPhone 6 in the second quarter of this year at its new Kunsahn, China plant. Moving the production of iPhone batteries to automated lines may also help Apple avoid manufacturing defects like ones found in a small number of iPhone 5s last year.

Apple's next-generation iPhone will likely be unveiled in the fall, and has been rumored to launch with two different models including one with a 4.7-inch display and one with a 5.7-inch display. The iPhone 6 could also feature a durable sapphire display, with other rumors pointing to a thinner chassis and bezel-free design.

Article Link: Apple to Move Production of iPhone Batteries to Automated Lines

 

[locoboi187]

I wish they also invested their time in researching ways to improve batteries.

 

[sputnikv]

i was under the impression that the mac pro was not 'automated' as it involved laborers assembling the units together

 

[goobot]

If the iMac is made by a machine why isn't it made in america/country it is sold to?. Wouldn't that make it cheaper due to less shipping?

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

All about money.

 

[DarkWinter]

I would have assumed that it was already automated to be honest.

 

[pixelpro]

I wish they also invested their time in researching ways to improves batteries.

What an idiotic comment!

 

[iChrist]

Too bad Apple can't invest more of this ingenuity toward improving the battery life and size, instead of focusing on automating a subpar product.

 

[Gav2k]

Too bad Apple can't invest more of this ingenuity toward improving the battery life and size, instead of focusing on automating a subpar product.

Apple like many others are heavily invested in research and design. The issue is there is no next big thing we are at the peak of what's currently available. Hence why newer phones use less power as that is currently the only step forward.

 

[Frizers]

maybe i can get through an entire day with an iphone 6 doing a bit of web surfing and listening to music on half brightness and wifi without charging. Certainly can't on my 4S :'(

 

[MartyBeez]

maybe i can get through an entire day with an iphone 6 doing a bit of web surfing and listening to music on half brightness and wifi without charging. Certainly can't on my 4S :'(

My iPhone 4 still has very good battery life, after many years of service Kudos to Apple for the battery.

 

[chabig]

I wish they also invested their time in researching ways to improves batteries.

They do.

 

[Seraph301083]

Maybe that's what they discussed with Tesla?

To work together on battery improvement and new technologies?

 

[tmanto02]

I wish they also invested their time in researching ways to improves batteries.

Cause Apple aren't already investing millions in doing exactly that already. Do you honestly think that they are doing nothing to try and improve battery technology?

 

[Twimfy]

All about money.

Yup, it'll save them a fortune and it's unlikely we'll see the benefit.

 

[chabig]

Yup, it'll save them a fortune and it's unlikely we'll see the benefit.

Why all the Apple hate at MacRumors?

 

[Lone Deranger]

I wish they also invested their time in researching ways to improves batteries.

Consider your wish granted then.

 

[DancyMunchkin]

Why all the Apple hate at MacRumors?

It's not Apple hate, it's Socialist love where profit is evil.

 

[RobertMartens]

i was under the impression that the mac pro was not 'automated' as it involved laborers assembling the units together

You mean Emmanuel Labor, I just call him Manny.

 

[Aleco]

My iPhone 4 still has very good battery life, after many years of service Kudos to Apple for the battery.

Clearly, you aren't as popular nor do you spend your time playing Flappy Bird on your phone like everyone else.

 

[CausticSoda]

I wish they also invested their time in researching ways to improves batteries.

Huge amounts of research is done in this field, whether by Apple or by companies that they use to provide technology. If we are talking battery life, I wish they would make their devices just a bit less thin to enable a larger battery and hence a longer life. The battery life on my 5S is just not good enough, as far as I am concerned. There is nothing wrong with the battery technology. Rather, it is too small due to Apple's obsession with thinness. I hate going out for the day, perhaps travelling abroad, and having to think about rationing what I can afford to do with it if the battery is to survive the day. That really is just silly.

 

[dragje]

It's not Apple hate, it's Socialist love where profit is evil.

Socialist don't think profit is evil.

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I wish they also invested their time in researching ways to improves batteries.

I agree, the battery life of iPhone is ridicules low. I always using an battery case, in this way when I go out for a long walk an iPhone 5 can last for about 1 and a half day. Then it needs to be recharged once more. Without the battery case I can't rely on the battery being able to track my long walks, taking foto's on the way and listening to the radio using 3G as well.

 

[musika]

Apple like many others are heavily invested in research and design. The issue is there is no next big thing we are at the peak of what's currently available. Hence why newer phones use less power as that is currently the only step forward.

Here's a temporary solution: make the phone a millimeter or two thicker so that you can fit a bigger battery in there. I don't see why this isn't a priority.

 

[Menneisyys2]

I wish they also invested their time in researching ways to improves batteries.

Me too. Some iPhone batches had the worst batteries I've ever seen in a mobile phone:

- 3GS and the swelling batteries - see my own shots at http://www.flickr.com/photos/33448355@N07/sets/72157633931601917/

- iPhone 5 and the batteries completely dying after half a year - same happened to me.

So much for "legendary" Apple "quality"...

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Consider your wish granted then.

Seeing is believing... too many iPhone models / batches were plagued by substandard or downright cr@ppy batteries...

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Here's a temporary solution: make the phone a millimeter or two thicker so that you can fit a bigger battery in there. I don't see why this isn't a priority.

"Form over functionality"

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My iPhone 4 still has very good battery life, after many years of service Kudos to Apple for the battery.

6 hours' battery life with a less than 4-year-old battery? That isn't very good... for example, my 2007 Nokia N95 still delivers way better battery life with its original battery.

Yes, Nokia has always used far better-quality batteries than Apple. No wonder they don't swell / die on users after half a year / deliver 6 hours of life after 4 years.

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Apple like many others are heavily invested in research and design. The issue is there is no next big thing we are at the peak of what's currently available.

Well, given the cr@ppy batteries Apple uses (used in several batches), I certainly wouldn't think so. Nokia has always used far better ones.

 

[2457282]

I think that this is a new push for Tim. Eliminate as much of the Labor force as possible through automation. Given all the negative press with the Chinese labor force - long hours, suicide, etc - I think this makes sense. Initially the cost of automation is probably higher, but they have the cash to get it done. Final assembly then is the only thing for which manual labor will still be required. Given the millions of phone, that is still a sizable workforce so it is still probably not effective to bring it back to the USA, but one can hope.