In an investors note released Sunday, Misek said Apple has already revised its build plans. iPhone orders for the calendar third quarter will be cut to 25 million to 30 million from 40 million to 45 million previously. And orders for the fourth quarter will drop to 50 million to 55 million from 60 million to 65 million.
Why the downturn? The analyst cited a few reasons, mostly notably iPhone inventory checks at the stores of three vendors in the U.K.
“We had recently noted that smartphone inventory levels at retail and carriers were elevated but were unsure which OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) were most exposed,” Misek said. “Our survey of several hundred Orange, Vodafone, and EE stores in the U.K. indicates that inventories are elevated for iPhones and the Samsung Galaxy 3.”
Certain Apple suppliers are also seeing a drop in sales or orders, Misek added.
