Ok, look: we know that the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad are doing fine among consumers. Well actually, they’re doing great - but let’s wait until October 18th (when Apple is having its Q4 earnings call) before we talk about sales and success again. We often forget (or maybe some of you just don’t know) that there’s a whole supply chain behind your beloved iOS multitouch screens; how are these guys doing amid the recession and Apple’s success in the mobile market?
Amid strong sales of iPad, Apple suppliers Wintek and TPK Touch Solutions are expected to see continued revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2010, while fellow touch panel makers for smartphones such as Young Fast Optoelectronics and J Touch’s revenues are expected to start dropping due to seasonality.
With Apple currently dominating the touch screen tablet PC market, almost every touch panel maker with mass production ability has received orders from Apple. Major touch module suppliers Wintek and TPK Touch and touch sensor suppliers Sintek Photronics and Cando will each have new capacity come online in the fourth quarter of 2010. Hence, Apple’s suppliers are expected to not be affected by the traditional weak season and maintain growth in the fourth quarter.
Not surprising, but this makes me think nonetheless. With Apple gaining a prominent position in the smartphone/tablet market and suppliers happy with Apple’s orders and revenue, will they agree to Apple’s secrecy policies and stop leaking prototypes to external sources?
