Analysts name tablet suppliers, call for Verizon iPhone
updated 11:45 am EST, Wed January 20, 2010
New iPhone could be world-ready model
Two analysts have issued new memos on upcoming Apple technology. UBS' Maynard Um addresses the tablet, saying that a January 27th press event will likely signal the product's announcement. Checks are said to indicate probable manufacturers and suppliers, namely Hon Hai (a.k.a. Foxconn), who may be assembling the device. The display may come from LG Display, with AUO being a possible secondary supplier.
Hon Hai and Chen Uei may handle connectors, while Wintek, Sintek and TPK may supply touch components. Simplo and Dynapack are tapped for batteries. The CPU is believed to be an internal Apple design by way of PA Semi, but Um suggests that the foundry may be Samsung, who may also supply flash memory. Wireless chips are expected to come from Broadcom.
Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek meanwhile proposes that aside from the tablet, Apple will also announce iPhone 4.0 on the 27th, and more importantly a Verizon iPhone. He argues that the supply chain is already preparing for mass production of such a device, which would support not only CDMA networks but also European versions of GSM and HSPA. An LTE (4G) iPhone is likely to ship a year afterwards, in June 2011, says Misek.
The claim conflicts with a Fox News report, which says that Apple will reveal the tablet, iPhone 4.0 and iLife 2010 on the 27th.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2004
Verizon iPhone
What I think is funny about all the clamoring for a Verizon iPhone, is that just like every similar situation in the past, as soon as a Verizon Cell Phone becomes available, we'll hear just as many complaints about Verizon as we are about AT&T.
If Apple was somehow able to switch completely from AT&T to Verizon, I'd give it two weeks, a month on the outside, before we started hearing grumblings about how lousy Verizon is and that Apple really should switch to AT&T.
The grass is always greener...