Although Apple seems to be reduced the number of iPhone 4 terminals what is going to be produced by its partners, now the company is also asking reduction the price of the components used in the manufacture of the iPad 2 tablet. The suppliers of motherboards, optical components, batteries, and touch panels received requests from the Apple company for a 10% reduction in the price of the components sold to the company. The iPad 2 tablet is extremely successful at the moment and Apple wants its suppliers to reduce prices in exchange for an increase in component orders.
Apple's suppliers of components such as PCBs, optical components, battery modules and touch panels are reportedly facing pressure from Apple, which has demanded quote cuts of 10% for the second quarter of 2011, according to a Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report.
Since Apple's tablet PC shipments are expected to grow 70% sequentially to eight million units in the second quarter, significantly benefiting related upstream component suppliers, Apple has demanded its suppliers to provide cuts in return, the paper noted.
Considering that Apple is currently one of the biggest buyers of components for its iDevices, there is a possibility that some partners will give in to the pressure from the company. Through this price reduction, Apple will save a lot of money, but unfortunately the prices will remain the same for ordinary users.
