iPhone 6's manufacturing is expected to start in China, according to Reuters.
Taiwan-based Pegatron Corp is setting up a new facility in Shanghai outskirts to build the device, according to Reuters. Pegatron, along with Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, also known as Foxconn, are the two official contract assemblers of the iPhone.
Though the report did not mention Foxconn's preparation, it said that Pegatron is recruiting workers in China. No details were provided on the manufacturing capacity of the rumored unit. The report, which appeared on the Taiwanese site Commercial Times, did not specify a timeline for the phone's availability in the market.
This new announcement comes on the heels of Apple announcing a low cost 8GB version of iPhone 5c, sparking concerns that the announcement could delay iPhone 6's early launch.
Australian International Business Times reported that iPhone 5c will be available in Australia and China. The initial release date of the iPhone 6 is planned in June, when Apple's annual Worldwide Developer's Conference is expected to take place. Apple's efforts to improve iPhone 5c sales may burden assemblers and this in turn could delay the release, according to Australian International Business Times.
"Two million units of iPhone 5c were stored in Pegatron's warehouses, while 1 million units were collecting dust in carriers' and retailers' shelves. iPhone 5C failed to attract consumers making it harder to sell and yielded poor sales and profits," the International Business Times stated.
That said, ISI analyst Brian Marshall stated that Apple could announce two versions of iPhone 6, according to Forbes.
"Large-screen envy is prevalent among the iPhone installed base and we believe a ~5 inch form-factor iPhone would spark a massive upgrade cycle as well with many Android users returning to the iPhone," according to Forbes. The iPhone 6 could feature in 4.7 inch and 5.5 inch variants.
