Apple CEO Downplays Reports of iPhone Component Cuts

By Zak Islam
published

iPhone 5 demand said to be considerably weakening.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has downplayed reports suggesting the it's reduced iPhone component orders due to weakening demand for the smartphone.

According to Cook, the company's supply chain is "complicated," so a single aspect shouldn't be looked into too much. That said, he nether confirms nor denies the report.

"I’d also stress that, even if a particular data point were to be factual, it would be impossible to interpret what that data point means to our business," he told analysts during the company's 2012 fourth quarter earnings conference call.

"Our supply chain is very complex and we have multiple sources for our components. Yields can vary…supplier performance can vary. There’s an inordinate list of things that would make any single data point not a great proxy for what’s going on."

During December, Apple is believed to have cut orders of the iPhone 5's screen by around 50 percent due to waning demand. It's also said to have reduced orders for components for its flagship device.

Apple recently announced its financial results for 2012's Q4; the firm sold 47.8 million iPhones and 22.9 million iPad units, resulting in record revenue but flat profit.

Contact Us for News Tips, Corrections and Feedback

Zak Islam
16 Comments Comment from the forums
  • No, he pretty much flat out denied the rumours:
    "I know there have been lots of rumors about order cuts. I don't want to comment on any particular rumor because I would spend my life doing that. I would suggest that it's good to question the accuracy of any rumor of bill plans."
    Reply
  • fudoka711
    This is good news.
    Reply
  • jimmyjohnz
    If anything they're just getting ready to start production of their next product for people to go into debt over.
    Reply
  • cats_Paw
    This Zak Islam is really a Apple Spamer at this point.
    Anything Apple related is always here. Hell, there are about 2-3 apple articles a day. How can a company do 2-3 things a day taht have a high interest?

    Especially apple that does always the same stuff again and again.
    Reply
  • darkavenger123
    Good riddance. Bye Bye Apple (hopefully, soon).
    Reply
  • inthere
    Windows OS is going to outsell both Android and Apple within the next 5 years. More user friendly than Android and less buggy. iOS lost its edge in innovation after the 2nd iPhone. All Windows needs is the apps, which are being added in droves daily. They'll catch up to the others within 2 years.
    Reply
  • vaughn2k
    First came the iPad. Then a slightly thinner iPad. Then a tinier iPad. Then a taller thinner iPad. Then a taller thinner iPad that shuffles your songs. Then a pink one, a blue one a green one. Then even a smaller iPad. Then a wider iPad. Then an iPad that you can touch. Then an iPad that you can talk on. Then an iPad that you can talk on with a ‘G’ on it. Then a shorter and fatter iPad, then a shorter patter iPad that shuffles. Then a thinner iPad that you can talk on with the ’4′ on it. Then a gigantic iPad you can not talk on. Then a gigantic iPad that you can not talk on that’s a little faster. Then a ‘white one’ – oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, ‘white’. Then a thinner taller iPad that you can talk on. And now a bigger not gigantic iPad you can not talk on. We’re Apple and you’re Suckers. Don’t forget to buy a new charger. A$$#APPLEles.

    http://lybio.net/jimmy-kimmel-live-ipad-mini-commercial/comedy/
    Reply
  • jn77
    Windows OS? Look at how hard a time microsoft has had with their smart phones, it will be a long time before Windows phones really gain much ground. At least in the near future...... android will be #1, IOS will always be #2, Windows OS or what ever they call it will be #3/ Tie with Blackberry.... and then everything else that not many people want to use will be last.
    Reply
  • ubercake
    Since sales are waning, all Apple has to do is render the current iPhone edition obsolete by the next iOS update and the sheep will respond accordingly.
    Reply
  • techcurious
    JasonmarkgrayNo, he pretty much flat out denied the rumours:"I know there have been lots of rumors about order cuts. I don't want to comment on any particular rumor because I would spend my life doing that. I would suggest that it's good to question the accuracy of any rumor of bill plans."How is that even pretty much a denial, let alone a flat out denial?
    Are you reading between imaginary lines to come up with imaginary conclusions?
    Perhaps your confusion stems from thinking rumor means false? A rumor may or may not be true or false, so he didn't deny squat.
    Reply