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Apple asks suppliers to ramp up iPhone 17 production after strong demand

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Apple has instructed suppliers to increase production of the entry-level iPhone 17 by at least 30%, after stronger-than-expected pre-orders last weekend, according to The Information. The move indicates that more consumers are opting for the $799 standard model over the premium Pro versions, which start at $1,099.

Apple reportedly asked Luxshare Precision, one of its two main Chinese assemblers alongside Foxconn, to boost daily output of the iPhone 17 by about 40%. The company has not commented on the report.

The surge in demand for the lower-cost iPhone comes as Apple seeks to revive growth in its flagship product line. The new lineup includes the thinner iPhone Air, part of Apple’s effort to lure buyers in a sluggish upgrade cycle. Notably, the iPhone 17 incorporates screen and camera upgrades once exclusive to the Pro models, narrowing the performance gap with higher-priced versions.

Analysts say the trend highlights growing price sensitivity among consumers, particularly in China and other key markets. While strong sales of the entry model may help Apple protect its market share, they could also pressure profit margins, as buyers shift away from Apple’s traditionally higher-margin Pro devices.

Apple’s iPhone Event May Lack Spark, but Rumored Slim ‘iPhone Air’ Could Drive Upgrades

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Apple is set to unveil its latest iPhone lineup on Tuesday, but analysts warn the launch could feel underwhelming compared with rivals’ rapid AI integration. The highlight may be the rumored “iPhone Air”, a slimmer model designed to echo the sleekness of Apple’s MacBook Air.

The thinner device would require Apple to solve battery and camera design challenges while fitting into a price band between the base iPhone 17 and Pro models. Analysts say this new form factor could entice iPhone 14–16 users to upgrade, offering Apple its first meaningful design shift in years.

Some see the “Air” as a stepping stone toward foldable iPhones and a more advanced Siri, though foldables are not expected until next year. Competitors like Samsung and Google already have folding models, but they remain a niche category at less than 2% of global sales. Apple faces added pressure in China, where foldables are popular and its market share has slipped.

Pricing remains a sensitive issue amid Trump’s tariff policies. Apple may quietly push margins higher through storage-based price increases, avoiding direct price hikes that could trigger political backlash, analysts say.

On the AI front, Apple has lagged rivals. Plans to revamp Siri were delayed by engineering hurdles, forcing the company to lean on OpenAI’s ChatGPT integration. Apple is also in early talks to use Google’s Gemini AI to strengthen Siri. Analysts expect the company to tout the AI processing power of its next-gen Apple Silicon chips, paving the way for an “agentic Siri” that can handle tasks in the background without draining device batteries.

While Apple’s customer base remains loyal, experts warn the company now has months, not years, to prove it can match competitors in AI and form-factor innovation. “By this time next year, if Siri still disappoints and the foldable isn’t out, Apple’s content base could erode,” said Bob O’Donnell of TECHnalysis Research.

GlobalFoundries Q3 Outlook Disappoints Amid Weak Smartphone Demand

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GlobalFoundries, the world’s third-largest contract chipmaker, projected third-quarter revenue and profit below Wall Street expectations as the recovery in consumer electronics demand, particularly smartphones, remains sluggish. Shares fell 6% in premarket trading, adding to a roughly 15% decline this year.

U.S. tariffs and broader economic uncertainty have dampened smartphone sales, with IDC data showing global growth slowing to just 1% in the June quarter. CEO Tim Breen, who took over in February, said the company is awaiting a “return to meaningful growth” in consumer-driven markets.

For Q3, GlobalFoundries expects net revenue of $1.68 billion (±$25 million), versus analysts’ estimates of $1.79 billion. Adjusted EPS is forecast at $0.38 (±$0.05), below the $0.41 consensus.

Despite the weak outlook, the company beat expectations in Q2 thanks to cost controls and strength in automotive and datacenter segments. Revenue for the quarter rose 3.7% to $1.69 billion, slightly above forecasts, while adjusted EPS reached $0.42 against the $0.35 estimate.

GlobalFoundries is expanding in automotive with a chipmaking deal with Continental and the July acquisition of chip architecture supplier MIPS to strengthen industrial and AI processor offerings. In June, it raised its total investment plans to $16 billion, including $1 billion more for capital spending and $3 billion for R&D in emerging chip technologies for EVs and AI servers.