Foxconn plans new iPhone factory, sparks CDMA iPhone talk

[bbotte]

http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/08/02/foxconn.spends.100m.on.dedicated.iphone.factory/

Foxconn plans new iPhone factory, sparks CDMA iPhone talk
updated 11:05 am EDT, Mon August 2, 2010Foxconn spends 100m on dedicated iPhone factory

Foxconn is building a new factory dedicated primarily to iPhone production in what could be a sign of Apple's expansion to other US carriers, reports from China's Xinhua News Agency claimed on Monday. The plant, which will start construction later this month, will be handled by the local subsidiary Futaihua Precision Electronics and already has workers. Over 500 workers are already producing iPhones on a rented line at another factory, the media outlet said.
The need for the factory wasn't immediately made apparent, but the demand for iPhones by itself may play a role. Apple has easily passed previous records with the iPhone launch and is likely to overtake its previous records with the iPhone 4 without changing its existing carrier arrangements.

However, it comes as Apple is already rumored to be significantly expanding its production plans to add support for other networks. ASUS' former manufacturing arm Pegatron is rumored to be starting CDMA iPhone production this month to cater to demand for a Verizon launch as well as possible launches at Sprint, China Telecom and other CDMA networks. A T-Mobile iPhone is also a possibility for a second GSM version.

 

[8CoreWhore]

This is due to production strains.

 

[itsmemuffins]

This is due to production strains.

Agreed, was just gonna post that.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

Rumor is the new plant will have less suicides since Apple raised their pay. Less deaths = better quality product.

 

[Techlover90]

Well, if that factory will indeed produce cdma iphones, it wont be out for another year so. The article says it will start BUILDING the factory in the fall.

 

[Julien]

Rumor is the new plant will have less suicides since Apple raised their pay. Less deaths = better quality product.

Apple has nothing to do with the running of Foxconn. Apple just subs out products to Foxconn like many other companies do. Dell, Hitachi and literally dozens of others use Foxconn.

 

[mlts22]

Well, if that factory will indeed produce cdma iphones, it wont be out for another year so. The article says it will start BUILDING the factory in the fall.

Foxconn produces a lot more than iPhones. China mainly uses CDMA, so having phones with that radio bands makes sense.

I REALLY doubt that CDMA iPhones are every coming to the US. Why? CDMA is dying. Sprint is moving to 4G Wi-Max, Verizon is going LTE, and AT&T is also going LTE. LTE won't be here for at least 2-3 years, so it won't be until LTE is as widely deployed as GPRS or EDGE is now before there is even a chance we will see an iPhone in a Verizon store.

 

[Phokus]

Apple has nothing to do with the running of Foxconn. Apple just subs out products to Foxconn like many other companies do. Dell, Hitachi and literally dozens of others use Foxconn.

They do that so they don't get blamed for worker mistreatment, just like every other company. Most clothing manufacturers have 3rd party contractors who employ sweatshop labor too.

 

[Julien]

They do that so they don't get blamed for worker mistreatment, just like every other company. Most clothing manufacturers have 3rd party contractors who employ sweatshop labor too.

No, Apple does this so they don't have to invest capital/resources into factories. This is the main reason Apple has $40B in cash.