Apple Reportedly Scaling Back iPhone 14 Production as Customers Opt for Pro Models

[MacRumors]

Apple is reportedly scaling back production of the new iPhone 14 due to seemingly low demand for the latest iPhone, which features the same design as last year's iPhone and a one-year-old chip.

According to supply chain employees who spoke to ITHome, Foxconn, who is Apple's largest supplier, has been instructed to dismantle at least five production lines that were previously making the iPhone 14 in Zhengzhou, China. Based on the report, it's unclear if this includes just the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 or also the larger 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus.

The new revelation comes after Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said this week that Apple is ramping up production for the iPhone 14 Pro, which has seen high demand. Kuo added that Apple is moving production resources away from the iPhone 14 and into the iPhone 14 Pro to keep up.

On Apple's website, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max in several configurations remain estimated to be shipped out in weeks, while the iPhone 14 remains available with no delay. The iPhone 14 Plus, arriving to customers on Friday, October 7, faces no delay on Apple's website.

Compared to the iPhone 13, the iPhone 14 features the same design and display but is powered by the same chip as the iPhone 13 Pro and has newer camera features. The 6.7-inch ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus is a larger version with a bigger battery, replacing the previous "mini" size from the iPhone 12 and 13 lineups.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly Scaling Back iPhone 14 Production as Customers Opt for Pro Models

 

[MLVC]

This "news" always comes like right after the launch. Every. Single. Year.

 

[WWPD]

This "news" always comes like right after the launch. Every. Single. Year.

This is why there should only be one iPhone, just like the old days. Every phone they put out should be a "pro". Just make three sizes, mini, regular, plus.

 

[Nozuka]

That's one way to increase prices... Just make the cheaper model less desirable

 

[citysnaps]

Go big or go home.

 

[macinct]

This is so true. I really wish they would make just one version.(other than size)

 

[2ilent8cho]

Like they scaled back iPhone 13 mini production? You know what this means.... we MUST cancel the standard iPhone, so no iPhone 15, only iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, as nobody is buying the iPhone 14 Plus either so that needs to go as well.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

The pros are just crushin it. Your iPhone is such a part of your life now that you have to have apples latest and greatest

 

[gk_brown]

This "news" always comes like right after the launch. Every. Single. Year.

Yep. Non-Pro buyers get a new phone when they need one, not when the new models come out.

 

[Apleeseed84]

Is it all too shocking? This was literally a 12,13 into a regular 14, the only real change now is the pro.

 

[gk_brown]

Is it all too shocking? This was literally a 12,13 into a regular 14, the only real change now is the pro.

It IS odd that they continue to sell the 12 and 13, given how similar the 14 is.

 

[stocklen]

This is so obvious, and so clear that demand will be rock bottom for a phone that really doesnt even deserve a new name.....
How they thought releasing a phone with the same processor and screen etc from last years model would be enticing for yearly upgraders ill never know.
The only people buying this are those on a 2 yearly upgrade cycle that had a 12...

However, Apple aren't stupid are they. Im pretty sure they expect their 14 to not sell well - and they are slyly pushing everyone to the pro models.

Its the reverse strategy as before. Till now, the Pro has simply been the standard phone with the addition of a stainless steel body and an extra camera - the last couple of years they've even had the same OLED screen.... So many people would have oped for the standard phone and really only 'pros' would pay more for the pro phone.

So, not this year! Its go pro or stay home.

 

[Kiimora]

This is a flipping no brainer 😗 , it was the intended strategy all along !

 

[frou]

This "news" always comes like right after the launch. Every. Single. Year.

Then is it a planted story to influence people to spend more on their iPhone "cos that's what everyone else is doing"?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I think majority of the people are into Pro models now. Apple should consider moving the regular iPhone line up during Spring event.

 

[rockitdog]

Amazing that Apple doesn't have the ability to predict that people would want the pro models over the standard models. I'm not marketing genius but I could have predicted this (again).

 

[SactoGuy18]

It may be true for the "regular" iPhone 14 models, but I think the iPhone 14 Plus could be a surprising best seller because 1) so many people now use their cellphones as their primary Internet access device and 2) the aging Baby Boomer and Generation X crowd want to use larger phones for easier readability.

 

[stocklen]

I think majority of the people are into Pro models now. Apple should consider moving the regular iPhone line up during Spring event.

I agree


Going forward they should have a cheap iPhone model... i.e. the SE, and then iPhone Mini, iPhone, and iPhone Max.

Seems little point having a non pro now.

 

[Hicksmat1976]

It IS odd that they continue to sell the 12 and 13, given how similar the 14 is.

I never saw the logic of so many models still in the lineup - mainly because I was hoping the 12 pro cases would be sold off cheap, no such luck

 

[cocky jeremy]

That was the plan all along. Up sell, up sell, up sell. That's why they're a multi trillion dollar company.

 

[nexusrule]

All the people that think this is normal and predictable, nobody realises that the great majority of people don't update their phone every year or two (and most of them don't care about the specific CPU either)? The iPhone 14 is new and improved for a lot of people with phones from 4-5-6 years ago. That is not very different from last year model is not the reason it's not selling more, or that the Pros are selling more than expected.

 

[darthbane2k]

One iPhone based on the new SoC, three sizes. One budget iPhone based on last years SoC. That is all that is needed.

 

[darthbane2k]

It may be true for the "regular" iPhone 14 models, but I think the iPhone 14 Plus could be a surprising best seller because 1) so many people now use their cellphones as their primary Internet access device and 2) the aging Baby Boomer and Generation X crowd want to use larger phones for easier readability.

Exactly - plus they aren't likely to preorder this thing if its being released in October. When they see it in store, when they see their carrier offering deals on it , it is then they will update.

 

[gk_brown]

I think majority of the people are into Pro models now. Apple should consider moving the regular iPhone line up during Spring event.

I personally have no interest in paying Pro-level prices for my next phone. I also don't want an SE.

I'm obviously only one data point, but I think there is probably still a very large market for non-Pro models. The non-Pro buyers simply are not the early adopters.

 

[ghostface147]

Maybe consumers really like that deep purple.