According to Digitimes, Apple (AAPL) is planning to cut shipments of its iPad mini by 10-12 million units in the second quarter of 2013. The drop in shipments of the 7.9-inch slate, which is worth noting is selling very well, could be as high as 20 percent, with steeper cuts likely following in the remainder of the quarter.
No specifics were given in terms of the reasoning behind the decrease, however Digitimes, a publication with a mixed track record in predicting Apple’s product plans, speculates the company is adjusting channel reserves for a next-generation iPad mini model expected to be unveiled sometime between July, and the end of September. That timeframe matches that of the reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who has predicted that the second-gen iPad mini will launch with a Retina display as the most notable change, alongside the iPad 5 in Q3’13.
The report goes on to say that the cut in shipments is due to increased competition from various 7-inch form factor tablets running Google (GOOG)’s Android OS.
According to the sources, who provide Digitimes with supply chain info related to various components of Apple’s 7.9-inch tablet, Cupertino recently adjusted its 2013 shipment schedule for the iPad and iPad mini, increasing mini’s shipments to 55 million while decreasing iPad’s to 33 million. That’s a significant change from Apple’s December expectations of 40 million and 60 million units, respectively.
h/t AI
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