Apple iPhone 5c inventories build to over 3 million units

posted by Alan F. / Mar 06, 2014, 1:42 AM

Apple iPhone 5c inventories build to over 3 million units

According to a published report on Thursday that cites Taiwan based supply chain manufacturers, Apple has built up inventories of more than 3 million units of the Apple iPhone 5c. The plastic cased version of the iPhone replaced the Apple iPhone 5 in Apple's line-up to become the mid-range option for fans of the device. According to the report, 2 million units are collecting dust at contract manufacturer Pegatron, with the remainder on the shelves in various retail locations belonging to carriers and distributors.

The sources pointed out that even though Apple sold a record 51 million iPhones in the previous quarter, the iPhone 5c was never a huge seller when compared to the full-featured Apple iPhone 5s. Some of the reasons for the weakness in sales include the higher than normal pricing for a phone in its class, and the small 4 inch screen on the model. The device is priced at $99 for 16GB and $199 for 32GB with a two-year contract. Off-contract, the 16GB and 32GB models are priced at $549 and $649 respectively.

Apple has not ordered iPhone 5c units since the end of last year, but the inventory is still staring Apple in the face and needs to be drawn down sharply. While the sources say that Apple has learned a huge lesson about screen-size, there is speculation that the Apple iPhone 6 will offer a display measuring 4.5 or 4.7 inches, with a 5.5 inch phablet also rumored. The iPhone 5c, according to these rumors, will be phased out.

With such an inventory build up, those looking to buy the Apple iPhone 5c might want to wait to see if Apple sharply cuts the price of the phone.

source: DigiTimes

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19 Comments

1. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

All they need to do is to re-brand them as iPhone 6C and they'll sell like hot cakes !

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 1:54 AM 16

5. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

I don't think so. Not even Timmy can turn a sows ear into a silk purse. And the iP5Crap is definitely a sows ear.

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 2:28 AM 5

8. boosook

Posts: 1442; Member since: Nov 19, 2012

Looool! :)

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 4:32 AM 0

2. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Please bundle it as free gifts for new iPad Air 4G 128G buyer. Learn from Samsung, I buy their note pro 12.2 lte and Samsung bundle home sync as free gift. Both parties are happy clear inventory, up value for money for Samsung customer. I am having a lot of fun with my free Samsung Home Sync. With 1Tb storage its downloading movies 24/7. The home sync spec is exactly a nexus 10, and play it like an android console using my PS3 controller too!

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 1:55 AM 7

3. techperson211

Posts: 1280; Member since: Feb 27, 2014

Overpriced . Under specs phone. Why would people buy this 5crap? Oh yeah. Wait because of the fruit logo.

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 2:04 AM 10

4. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

Sounds like the dogs weren't liking the dog food that ole Timmy was trying to feed them. Crickets from the contingent that was forecasting a sales success for the iP5Crap.

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 2:26 AM 4

17. PBXtech

Posts: 1032; Member since: Oct 21, 2013

Bookmarked for a certain individual who railed against those saying the 5c was a bad phone. Same guy who predicted 5c sales would be massive.

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 10:10 AM 0

10. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Lol please, iPhone 5c was a huge success. It did what it was meant to, which is push people to the 5s and fail itself. It did just that, and also help make a few sales at a higher margin than the iPhone 5 would have.

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 4:50 AM 3

18. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

Meanwhile, there are what - 3 million iP5Craps sitting unsold? Cost to produce the iP5Crap is what - $150/each? So, to produce the incremental sales of iP5S that otherwise would not have been sold, Timmy causes Apple to have to 'eat' $450 million? Pretty expensive 'promotional campaign'. By all rational accounts, the iP5Crap is a FAIL, and Apple is going to have to unload the 3 million unsold inventory some how.

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 10:42 PM 0

6. JMartin22

Posts: 2390; Member since: Apr 30, 2013

Of course people aren't going to buy some midrange option that's only a mere $100 cheaper to the best variant available. But they're more placating the phone as an "option" to people with certain personalities than a cheaper alternative to the real flagship.

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 3:18 AM 0

7. ThePython

Posts: 902; Member since: May 08, 2013

Have some goddamn humility and make it cheaper. Then it'll sell like crazy.

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 4:26 AM 0

9. AfterShock

Posts: 4147; Member since: Nov 02, 2012

They'll bulldoze them eventually, Quietly of course. Over priced, plastic pos with a four inch screen, and they're not moving, go figure, john q public is wising up.

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 4:49 AM 0

11. darkkjedii

Posts: 31631; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Drop the price, or donate em Cook. The 5C was a good experiment, but did apple really think it would sell next to the unbelievably good 5S. You can't expect a good phone like the C to sell well next to its incredible big brother.

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 6:24 AM 1

12. QWIKSTRIKE

Posts: 1461; Member since: Mar 09, 2010

THIS IS NOT GOOD NEWS FOR APPLE THE STOCK MAY HAVE TO TAKE A WRITE DOWN. The next launch had better hit the ball out of the park. Apple needs to lead by innovation rather than to offer cheap versions of one of the leaders of the phone that forever changed the cell phone game. People want the real deal, and offering cheap knock offs won't take the Note leading Galaxy, or HTC phones out. LG is stepping up, and the Nexus line may be lower spec'd camera wise but software wise with Google software is way ahead. Android offers customization, and an ecosystem built around the user experience like Google Maps, which interacts with location search for addresses, places to eat, shopping for products and lowest prices, as well as places to go things to do!

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 7:12 AM 1

13. darkkjedii

Posts: 31631; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Dude we know what android offers, we're techies and use this stuff just like u do. You just wanted to take a shot at apple lol, good android plugin though ;). Apple knows what is doing man, let handle their box, and you worry about android mmmmmmmk

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 7:25 AM 0

14. rodneyej1

Posts: 3576; Member since: Jul 06, 2013

Your last paragraph sounds exactly like WP... What's the real differentiator here? Customization?.. No, the amount is only subjectively necessary, not crucial to a good user experience... .................... I would say that Android offers the most choice as far as devices go, and price point.. But, the things you mentioned are old news... Even for a WP device.......

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 7:41 AM 0

15. tasior

Posts: 265; Member since: Nov 04, 2012

Do You watch Big Bang Theory? I'm under impression, that You have the way of talking about WP, like Howard used to talk about space, once he got back...

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 8:04 AM 2

16. cornerofthemoon

Posts: 620; Member since: Apr 20, 2010

It's a shame since the 5c is actually a pretty cool phone. It just cost too much for what you get.

posted on Mar 06, 2014, 8:46 AM 0

19. tokuzumi

Posts: 1961; Member since: Aug 27, 2009

If they priced this like a mid-ranged device, they might see some sales. But the cost difference between the C and the S would not really be significant enough to warrant picking the C over the S. I'm using on contract prices.