Apple will be changing several boats in mid-stream during 2020, making several changes in the suppliers of many of its products.
Well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo outlined the changes in suppliers he expects Apple to make in 2020 in a research note with investment firm TF International Securities, shared by MacRumors.
Kuo expects AirPods Pro assembly to be handled by Chinese company Goertek during the first half of the year, working alongside current supplier Luxshare Precision to work their way through an assembly backlog that has resulted in multi-week shipping estimates for the popular “pro” wireless earbuds.
While Luxshare will be required to share some of the action when it comes to AirPods Pro assembly, Kuo expects the firm to become the exclusive manufacturer and supplier of S-series chips for the new “Apple Watch Series 6” in 2020.
Last but not least, Kuo expects Chinese manufacturer BYD Electronic to replace Quanta Computer as the sole assembler of the iPod touch in 2020. He also sees BYD gaining at least 10-20% of non-cellular iPad orders. If the company handles that well, they should see a larger percentage of orders in 2021 and beyond.
