Friday Apple Rumors: Fingerprint Sensor May Limit iPhone 5s Supply

by Christopher Freeburn | September 13, 2013 11:48 am

[1]Here are your Apple rumors[2] and AAPL news items for today:

Fewer: Consumers who want to buy Apple‘s (AAPL[3]) new iPhone 5s may have to scramble[4], AppleInsider notes. Jeffries analyst Peter Misek says that sources in Apple’s supply chain indicate that manufacturers have encountered production problems resulting from the phone’s inclusion of a fingerprint sensor. Those problems will cut available inventory of iPhone 5s units at launch. Misek has trimmed his estimate of fourth quarter iPhone 5s production by up to 7 million units due to “terrible” yields on the fingerprint sensors. The inclusion of the M7 motion co-processor and new A7 chip are not said to be linked to the production issues. Apple has not announced a date to start taking pre-orders of the iPhone 5s. Last year, inventories of the iPhone 5 were also constrained due to production problems. Misek has also cut his price target for Apple shares from $450 to $425 due to the iPhone 5s shortfall and too-high pricing of the iPhone 5c. A number of analysts have expressed disappointment with the iPhone 5c’s price — $549 off contract — which is considered well above entry range.

Early Buying: Apple has started taking pre-orders for its new iPhone 5c[5], USA TODAY notes. The company began taking the orders at midnight, Pacific Time through its website. Major wireless carriers are also accepting online iPhone 5c pre-orders. The iPhone 5c debuted on Tuesday at a special media event held in California. It features the same internal components as the iPhone 5,  but comes with a plastic case in five colors: green, blue, yellow, white and pink. The iPhone 5c starts at $99 with a two-year service contract. Consumers who pre-order the phone will receive their device around September 20, when the phone officially hits store shelves.

Showoff: Four days before the iPhone 5s launches, it will appear at a fashion show in London[6], CNET notes. On Monday, Burberry (BBRYF[7]) will use the new flagship iPhone to take photographs and videos of its presentation of new products. The iPhone 5s will be used to capture footage of the show’s backstage preparations and runway activities. Images and videos from the show will be posted online. The iPhone 5s will officially launch on September 20 along with the iPhone 5c.

For more about the company, check out our previous Apple Rumors[8] stories.

Source URL: https://investorplace.com/2013/09/friday-apple-rumors-fingerprint-senor-may-limit-iphone-5s-supply/

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