A few grains of salt would be prudent in this case, but with the 3G iPhone launch imminent, any and all iPhone-related rumors are at least worth considering. Especially when such speculation hints that Apple might have to delay the launch of the high-anticipated next-generation iPhone.
According to UBS Investment Research analyst Nicolas Gaudois, Infineon has issued a profit warning tied to the chip-maker having “received lower orders than expected” for 3G/HSDPA baseband chips for a certain “high-speed Internet phone.” Infineon didn’t go so far as to say that the 3G chips were destined for the 3G iPhone, but the consensus is that the next-generation iPhone will be powered by 3G chips from Infineon.
Furthermore, Gaudois has tied the lower than expected hardware orders to delays in Apple’s 3G iPhone ramp. “In our view the profit warning has been caused by ramp changes of next generation iPhone, into which Infineon is supplying the main High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) chipset,” said Gaudois.
Apple’s supply chain prowess was highlighted with their flawless launch-logistics in the initial iPhone launch, so it would be a shame if Apple dropped the ball in ramping-up production for the next-generation iPhone. It would be more unfortunate if these ramp delays led to launch delays of the 3G iPhone.
[Via: Apple Insider]