demand

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on demand:

Apple’s newest services lack ‘depth,’ analysts warn

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Apple TV+ could have 26 million paying subs by 2025; 2.6 million currently
Apple TV+ could have 26 million paying subs by 2025; 2.6 million currently
Photo: Apple

Apple’s newest services don’t deliver the “depth” investors want to see as iPhone sales fall for the Cupertino company.

Some analysts are particularly disappointed with the upcoming Apple TV+ video streaming service. They don’t believe Apple has any hope of competing with Netflix.

Apple teams up with Alipay to boost iPhone sales in China

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iPhone XS box gold
Bag yours before they're all gone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has joined forces with Alipay in an effort to boost iPhone sales in China.

iPhone fans can now bag one of the company’s latest handsets with up to two years of interest-free finance. The loan allows customers to swap the costly upfront fee for much more affordable monthly payments. It’s available on purchases of 4,000 yuan (approx. $595) or more.

Foxconn cuts 50,000 workers early as iPhone struggles

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Which new iPhone is for you? It really comes down to size.
Apple knows the iPhone is getting too expensive.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Foxconn, Apple’s largest manufacturing partner, has cut 50,000 workers ahead of schedule as a result of weak iPhone demand.

The first cuts came last October, months before Foxconn typically scales back its workforce in preparation for slow season, according to a source familiar with the move. It is believed that Foxconn isn’t the only Apple supplier making cuts, either.

Samsung will make life even harder for iPhone on February 20

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Samsung Galaxy S10 teaser
You won’t be blown away by Galaxy S10 performance.
Photo: Samsung

Weakening demand for the iPhone could get worse next month when Samsung delivers its next-generation smartphone lineup.

The South Korean company has confirmed a Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday, February 20. Its teaser video all but confirms the Galaxy S10 will be the star of the show.

Slowing iPhone sales cause Apple suppliers to suffer

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iphone XS
It’s not just Apple that’s feeling the impact.
Photo: Apple

Slowing iPhone sales aren’t just bad news for Apple.

Foxconn, the company’s largest manufacturing partner, is also suffering as a result of weakening iPhone demand, with revenue for December falling 8.3 percent year-over-year.

It’s the first time Foxconn has experienced a drop in revenue in almost a year.

iPhone XR Apple’s best-selling phone as sales fall

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iPhone XR was India’s no. 1 ‘ultra premium’ smartphone in 2019
iPhone XR was India’s no. 1 ‘ultra premium’ smartphone in 2019
Photo: Apple

Apple’s best-selling smartphone last November was, perhaps unsurprisingly, its most affordable model. The iPhone XR outsold the iPhone XS and the larger iPhone XS Max, according to new data — but overall iPhone sales saw a significant decline.

iPhone XS sales take average selling price to record heights

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iPhone XS and XS Max
Have you bought yours yet?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max sales have started off so strongly that they’ve helped Apple’s average selling price reach record heights, new data suggests.

The latest flagships accounted for 16 percent of all Apple handsets sold in the U.S. last quarter, despite being on sale for just ten days of it. Last year’s iPhone X continues to sell well despite being outdated now, while iPhone 8 and 8 Plus were the most popular options.

iPhone XR could be bigger than iPhone 8 in one key market

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iPhone XR test
iPhone XR could be more popular than you think.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone XR is expected to enjoy a strong start in China later this month as a result of the lack of innovation from local brands and weakening demand for their devices, according to one reliable analyst.

Apple’s new handset, which will start at $749 in the U.S., could see bigger demand than last year’s iPhone 8 lineup.

Apple shares fall after iPhone chipmaker cuts sales forecast

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iPhone X laying down
I wanted a Galaxy S10, but I'm stuck with iPhone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple shares fell 3 percent this morning after iPhone chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) cut its revenue forecast for the second quarter of 2018.

The company and industry analysts point to weak demand for high-end smartphones as the main reason for the poor guidance. This likely has something to do with the fact that iPhone X sales have been in the gutter since early hype quickly died out late last year.

HomePod inventories pile up after early demand dies quickly

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Apple HomePod volume controls
HomePod sales are already suffering.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has been forced to cut HomePod orders as inventories continue to build up in its retail stores, according to a new report.

The $349 speaker enjoyed a promising start when it made its debut in February, but demand has fallen quickly as smart speaker shoppers turn to more affordable options from the likes of Amazon.

iPhone X spells doom for pricey smartphones

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iPhone X laying down
I wanted a Galaxy S10, but I'm stuck with iPhone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iPhone X looked set to become the beginning of a worrying smartphone trend when it went on sale last November, sporting a hefty $1,000 price tag. We were sure future flagships would be similarly expensive. But consumers just aren’t having it.

With iPhone X demand showing no signs of improvement in 2018, analysts are warning that the market “may not tolerate” rising smartphone prices.

Is iPhone X demand really weaker than anticipated?

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iPhone X
Ready to ditch your iPhone X already? There's still time to get a great price!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Demand for iPhone X has nosedived since the holidays, according to recent reports, which wiped $46 billion off Apple’s market value in under a week. But is that really true? Was Apple really anticipating sales of 40 million units in the second quarter of 2018?

Let’s take a more realistic look.

iPhone X supply has no hope of meeting demand

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iphone 8 UI
Good luck getting your hands on one of these.
Photo: Ben Miller

iPhone X might be insanely expensive, but that won’t prevent it from becoming the best-selling Apple smartphone to date. What might scupper sales is incredibly short supply.

According to one reliable analyst, iPhone X production, as it currently stands, has no hope of keeping up with early demand.

Most Apple fans have no idea what to expect from iPhone 8

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iPhone 8 render
iPhone 8 will be a huge upgrade, but most fans aren't prepared.
Photo: Quinton Theron

If you’ve been keeping up with the iPhone 8 rumors, you’ll know exactly what to expect from Apple’s big refresh this fall. But for the vast majority of fans, the upgrade will come as a huge surprise.

One survey has found that for ordinary iPhone users, the urge to upgrade is no more significant than it has been for previous, more incremental releases.

Apple Watch shipments will reach new highs in 2017

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Nyloon's Elysee Nylon Band for Apple Watch in navy, white and red has a comfortable, fabric-like feel.
Available in a wide range of styles and colors.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch shipments may have slowed in recent months, but with Series 3 right around the corner, the device is expected to enjoy a strong end to 2017.

According to sources in its supply chain, Apple is likely to ship a total of 15 million Apple Watches for the year. That figure could rise even higher in 2018.

iPhone shipments are growing in all the right places

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iPhone 7 camera
Even more powerful iPhone cameras are coming.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iPhone sales might have fallen year-on-year during the first quarter of 2017, but shipments continue to grow in a number of key markets.

In fact, new data shows that shipments declined only in China and Japan during the first few months of the year.

92% of iPhone users will stick with Apple when upgrading

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iphone 8 display
iPhone 8 could arrive on time after all.
Photo: Martin Hajek

Even the biggest of iPhone fans would admit that the device has become somewhat boring in recent years, but that hasn’t had any impact on loyalty to the Apple brand.

According to a new study, a whopping 92 percent of iPhone owners who plan to upgrade within the next 12 months will choose another Apple smartphone. That’s the highest retention rate among any smartphone maker, and it suggests iPhone 8 will be huge.

Apple may be cutting iPhone 7 orders as demand falls

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iPhone 7 back
Interest in the iPhone 7 is already falling.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly cutting iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus orders less than three months after their debut due to falling demand.

Momentum has fallen “significantly” in China and other markets, according to sources in Apple’s supply chain, and component makers are already shifting their focus to iPhone 8.

iPhone shipments will get worse before they get better

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iPhone 6 Plus_7
Apple will have to wait until next year for iPhone growth to return.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is confident the iPhone will bounce back from its current slump in demand, but new forecasts suggest shipments will get worse before they get better. Researchers don’t expect growth to return until 2017 when Apple introduces bigger upgrades.

Weak iPhone demand punishes Apple suppliers

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iPhone 6 Plus
Apple isn't the only one suffering due to weak iPhone sales.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Weak demand for the iPhone is causing earnings to fall for a number of suppliers in Asia, and few of them are hopeful that the situation is going to change.

Foxconn, the biggest assembly partner for the iPhone, saw its profit fall 9.2 percent last quarter, while Pegatron’s nosedived a whopping 35.1 percent.

Should ‘peak iPhone’ make Apple terrified about the future? [Friday Night Fights]

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fnf
Are you worried about Apple?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple just reported its worst quarter in 13 years.

FNF-bugRight now, that’s just a small blemish on an otherwise darn near perfect record. But the concern is that it could signal the start of a much greater decline, ushering in an era in which Cupertino is no longer the overwhelmingly dominant force in all things shiny and aluminum.

Should Tim Cook and Co. really be worried about declining demand, and should fans be worried about Apple’s future? Or will our favorite gadget maker be back with a bang?

Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight between Cult of Android and Cult of Mac as we throw hands (not literally) over these topics and more!