Apple Inc. (AAPL.O) is cutting production of the iPhone 14 Plus just a few weeks before shipments begin. This is because the company is re-evaluating demand for the mid-range model, two people in the company’s supply chain told the information on Tuesday.
The report says that the Cupertino, California-based company told at least one manufacturer in China to stop making iPhone 14 Plus parts right away.
The move comes at a time when the global smartphone market has been weakening. According to estimates from data research firm Canalys, the global smartphone market shrank by 9% in the third quarter compared to the same time last year. Canalys expects weak demand over the next six to nine months.
Reuters asked Apple for a comment, but they didn’t answer right away.
The iPhone 14 Plus, which was announced on September 7 as part of a new line, is meant to be a cheaper alternative to the more expensive iPhone Pro models. It started shipping to customers on October 7.
A Bloomberg News report says that Apple gave up on its plan to make more of the new iPhone models last month because the expected rise in demand didn’t happen.
