O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: analyst

  • Coronavirus continues to impact Foxconn’s Zhengzhou iPhone manufacturing plant, only 10 percent of workers estimated to have returned

    It only takes a viral outbreak to throw things pretty far out of whack.

    More than a week after shutting down all stores and offices in China as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, Apple supplier Foxconn was approved to resume production at its Zhengzhou manufacturing plant.

    According to an anonymous source with direct knowledge, only 10 percent of the workforce, or about 16,000 people, have returned. It was later reported that a Foxconn plant in Shenzhen was approved to resume partial production Tuesday.

    The Zhenzhou plant is “the most critical iPhone production site,” and produces the iPhone 11 series as well as a new special edition, cheaper iPhone, according to noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

    Apple is expected to unveil the special edition iPhone in March. On Monday, the city of Zhengzhou provided a timeline of when factories can reopen. On February 10, firms with mainly local staff can resume operations. On February 17, firms with minimal staff from areas highly impacted by the outbreak can reopen and on February 24, all factories can return to work.

    After the initial return date of Feb. 2 was postponed for the plant, Kuo said he estimates a 40 percent to 60 percent labor return rate. At Shenzhen, Kuo said he expects a labor return rate of 30 percent to 50 percent at the site in charge of making new iPhone models set for release in the second half of the year.

    Foxconn has yet to offer additional comment on the story.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via CNBC

  • Ming-Chi Kuo: 5G networks could feature faster speeds than expected

    Per well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the 5G wireless network could offer faster speeds than expected.

    Kuo recently offered the following note to investors:

    According to our latest survey, the development of the sub-6GHz +mmWave iPhone is progressing as scheduled, and it is expected to ship at the end of 3Q20 or early 4Q20.

    While lower-band frequencies can establish reliable long-range connections, they are not as fast as millimeter-wave frequencies. Mr. Kuo appears to believe that some models of the next iPhone will support both these networks, including the ultra-fast ones where available.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and Business Insider

  • Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo highlights 12.9-inch iPad Pro, upgraded 16-inch MacBook Pro towards end of 2020

    Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s latest note predicts that Apple will release a 12.9-inch iPad Pro and an upgraded 16-inch MacBook Pro towards the end of 2020.

    Per the note:

    “Apple is planning four to six products with mini-LED displays over the next two to three years, including a high-end 12.9-inch iPad Pro with an A14X chip in the third quarter of 2020 and a refreshed 16-inch MacBook Pro in the fourth quarter of 2020,” wrote Kuo. In a research note with TF International Securities today, Kuo said the mini-LED displays will “significantly improve productivity and the entertainment experience” without elaborating.

    Still, Kuo’s track record speaks for itself.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and The Mac Observer

  • Rumor: iPhone 12 units could arrive with 6GB of RAM, 5G enabled

    We’re getting to the point where the next-gen iPhone might have more RAM than your typical desktop.

    According to analysts at Barclays, the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro will ship with 6GB of RAM as well as 5G enabled.

    They’ve also made the following predications about the iPhone SE 2:

    In a recent research note, the Barclays analysts said the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will likely have 6GB of RAM, up from 4GB in the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. They also expect both models to feature rear-facing 3D sensing and mmWave support for higher-performance 5G. The base model iPhone 12 is expected to have 4GB of RAM, equal to the iPhone 11. While the iPhone 12 is also expected to be 5G enabled, the analysts did not indicate whether the device will support mmWave, sub-6GHz, or both. Last, the analysts indicated that the so-called “iPhone SE 2” is still in the pipeline

    As always, time will tell as to how accurate these predictions are.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and The Mac Observer

  • Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts next-gen iPad Pro with rear 3D sensing feature, iPhone SE 2 to launch in first half of 2020

    Per fabled analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the next-gen iPad Pro models will be released in the first half of 2020 and feature a rear 3D sensing feature.

    In a research note with TF International Securities, Kuo said the iPad Pro models will gain 3D sensing through the rear-facing camera system. Apple is expected to use a time-of-flight system, which measures the time that it takes for light to bounce off of objects in a room to generate a 3D map. 

    This measure up with previous reports, including Mark Gurman’s report for Bloomberg that stated that the next-gen iPad Pro would feature dual rear cameras along with a new augmented reality sensor.

    Kuo’s report also reiterated Apple’s plans to release an ‘iPhone SE 2″ device in the first half of 2020. He previously noted that the device will offer similar features as the iPhone 8, including a 4.7-inch display and Touch ID, but with a faster A13 chip and 3GB of RAM. 

    The low-cost iPhone will likely start around $399 with 64GB of storage, and come in Space Gray, Silver, and Red, according to Kuo. 

    Given that Apple typically holds a media event in March, it’s not impossible to see these products being unveiled around then.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Bloomberg