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Another report that claims the iPhone 14 Plus demand is not hitting Apple's expectations has emerged, and the tech giant has allegedly asked suppliers to "immediately halt" parts production for the 6.7-inch standard model. But Apple has not canceled plans for another 'Plus' variant for 2023.
The iPhone 14 Plus arrived in stores barely two weeks ago, but Apple is already making adjustments to its production plans for the device. The Information reported, citing two sources from Apple's supply chain, that the iPhone maker had already asked at least one supplier in China to stop making parts for the device. It was not clear how long this request would be in place, but the same report said the company will reevaluate the demand for the iPhone 14 Plus for now.
This is not entirely new information, as TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said last month that his supply chain survey revealed Apple was already reassigning iPhone 14 Plus production lines to produce more units of iPhone 14 Pro models. This was corroborated by The Information this week, but the publication noted that the increased production of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max is not high enough compared to the production volume cut for the iPhone 14 Plus.
This year was the first time Apple brought back the "Plus" branding since 2017. The iPhone 14 Plus is equipped with all the features available in the baseline iPhone 14 variant but with a larger display. It seemed to be a good option for customers who just wants a bigger screen but do not need the bells and whistles exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro models.
The recent report, however, noted that the A15-powered iPhone 14 Plus (available starting at $899) is only $100 cheaper compared to the iPhone 14 Pro. And this limited price difference may have affected some customers' decision to just opt for the higher-end variant that includes the new A16 Bionic chip.
The iPhone 14 Plus replaced the "mini" variant in two previous iPhone generations. While the market performance of the iPhone 14 Plus is likely affected by rising inflation worldwide, it is worth noting that demands for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini were also reportedly weaker than what Apple expected.
The recent developments in the iPhone 14 Plus sales, however, have not yet convinced Apple to completely drop a fourth device option for next year's iPhone series. The Information's source said Apple is still considering launching an iPhone 15 Plus in 2023.
