4-5: ZTE reportedly reshuffle executives in response to US sanctions; Tons of Apple news – new 5.5″ iPhone to use dual-camera, 4″ SE BOM cost is USD160, etc.
ZTE reportedly to change 3 executives including the CEO over the U.S. sanction concerns; Tons of Apple related news – next-gen 5.5″ iPhone to feature dual-camera, 4″ iPhone SE BOM cost is USD160, 2016 iPhone shipment 190-220 million units, a number of vendors opposing Apple’s application to import and sell used iPhone in India; Samsung Galaxy S7 in March shipped nearly 10 million units; etc.
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Camera |
| Dual cameras will be exclusive to Apple next-generation 5.5” iPhone, according to a new research note issued by respected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. (Mac Rumors, Pocket Now, Business Insider, My Drivers, 163) |
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Smartphones |
| ZTE reportedly to change 3 executives including the CEO over the U.S. sanction concerns. (Android Headlines, eWeek, WSJ, Sina, Hexun) |
| Gartner estimates global smartphone sales to reach 1.5 billion units in 2016, a 7% growth from 2015. The total mobile phone market is forecast to reach 1.9 billion units in 2016. Worldwide combined shipments for devices (PCs, tablets, ultramobiles and mobile phones) are expected to reach 2.4 billion units in 2016, a 0.6% increase from 2015. (CN Beta, Digital Trends, Gartner, data)
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| The critical reception to the Apple iPhone SE has been strong but sales over the first weekend have been underwhelming according to mobile engagement firm Localytics. The iPhone SE’s impact has been much lower than previous iPhone handsets. (Localytics, press, CN Beta, Fierce Wireless, Forbes, Digital Trends)
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| The cost to build and assemble Apple iPhone SE runs to about USD160 for a device that sells for a starting price of USD399 without a contract, according to an analysis by the research firm IHS. (iFeng, 163, Re/Code, iClarified)
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| Brean Capital analyst Ananda Baruah believes Apple will see total iPhone sales for calendar year 2016 fall to 216 million units, a drop from 232 million in 2015. (Seeking Alpha, Bezinga, Apple Insider) |
| KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo forecast shipments of 85-95 million Apple iPhone units in 1H16, 105-115 million in 2H16. That means he believes iPhone units will fall between 190-210 million for the full year. (Apple Insider, Cult of Mac, iDigitalTimes) |
| Isaiah Research revises up Apple shipment up to 48.5 million units from previous 47.5 million in 1Q16. They forecast 4” iPhone SE shipment to be around 2 million units in 1Q16. Overall shipment of iPhones in 2016 is forecast around 210-220 million units. (Isaiah Research report)
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| Isaiah Research forecasts the shipment volume of Apple 4” iPhone SE and 9.7” iPad Pro in 1H16, manufactured by Foxconn and Wistron. (Isaiah Research report)
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| The Mobile and Communications Council (members include Micromax and Samsung), recently sent a letter to the Indian government opposing Apple’s application to sell used iPhones in India, worried that it could jeopardize local industry by opening the door to used imports as a whole. (Apple Insider, Bloomberg, Sohu, Tencent, iFeng, TechNews) |
| Samsung reportedly shipped nearly 10 million Galaxy S7 units in March, surpassing the initial estimate for 7 million units. (Phone Arena, CNBC, CNMO, Sina) |
| Isaiah Research projects Samsung overall shipments in 2016 would be 320-330 million units. The demand of the O series is shrinking (O5 and O7 around 100K units each in 2Q16). Galaxy A refresh series is planning to replace the original Galaxy A series. (Isaiah Research report)
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| Xiaomi has led a USD25 million funding round in Hungama Digital Media Entertainment, marking its first investment in an Indian company. The funding round also saw participation from existing investors Intel Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners and billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. (CN Beta, India Times, Zee News) |
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Tablets |
| Isaiah Research forecasts the overall shipment of Apple iPad to be around 19.5 million units in 1H16. (Isaiah Research report)
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Wearables |
| Oculus Rift has revealed that it is facing component shortages due to which estimated shipping dates for some of the pre-orders have been impacted. (GSM Arena, PCGamesn, China Z, 163) |
| James Park, CEO of Fitbit, thinks the biggest problem with wearables is that they do too much, singling out the Apple Watch as one of the devices he considers too complicated. (CN Beta, HNGN, Digital Trends, The Telegraph) |
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Internet of Things |
| Tesla announces in 1Q16 it has shipped 12.42K units of Model S, and 2.4K units of Model X, in total 14.82K units, which is a near 50% increase compared to last year same period. Tesla still keeps its 2016 shipment target of 80K-90K units. (CN Beta, WSJ, Motley Fool, Washington Post)
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| According to Tesla Motors, the Tesla Model 3 has reached 253,000 orders in the first 36 hours since its announcement. The basic model is sold at around USD35,000. (Pocket-Lint, Comment, CE, 163, Inquistr, Reuters) |
| The US Army requests industry information on the feasibility of making tiny drones (Soldier Borne Sensors) that would help infantry gather intelligence on a small scale, and will be getting it in 2018. (Army Times, Engadget)
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| Google has expanded Android Auto integration to 18 more countries. (Google, Engadget) |
| Volkswagen’s truck division will spend about EUR500 million (USD569 million) by the end of the decade to improve automated connectivity of heavy-goods vehicles. (CN Beta, Yahoo) |
