Apple Stock News: Apple’s iPhone Gains the First Place in the Global Smartphone Market in Q4 2021
Apple Stock News: Canalys has estimated worldwide smartphone shipments for Q4 2021. It is stated that Apple accounted for 22% of global shipments in the smartphone market in the 4th quarter and took first place. Apple reclaimed first place from Samsung, which made 20% of worldwide shipments in the same quarter. The increase in Apple shipments is mainly due to high demand for the iPhone 13, which was launched in September 2021. But like all industries, Apple is facing supply chain problems with bottlenecks in shortages of key components. Thus, overall shipments for the 4th quarter grew just 1% for the whole market.
iPhone SE Third- and Fourth-Generation News
Next generation iPhone SE, which is rumored to be named iPhone SE+ 5G, will include a 4.7-inch display, faster A15 chip, and 5G support, according to consultant Ross Young. Third-generation iPhone SE is already expected to launch this year. As for the fourth generation iPhone SE Young stated that it is planned to be released in 2023, previous predictions were for 2024, and it will contain a larger 5.7-inch display.
Expectations of Fifth-Generation iPad Air
There is a possibility that the new iPad Air might be announced together with the third-generation iPhone SE at the first product event of 2022, anticipated in March or April. It is expected that the fifth-generation iPad Air will have the same design as the current model, including a single-lens rear camera, but will be improved by some technical features of the last iPad mini: A15 Bionic chip, 12-megapixel ultra-wide front camera with Center Stage support, 5G support, and Quad-LED True Tone flash.
Apple’s Biggest iPhone Manufacturer Offers Bonuses to Recruit Workers
Foxconn, Apple’s largest iPhone factory based in Zhengzhou (China), is offering signing bonuses to former and new employees in order to keep up with production, according to the South China Morning Post. The job announcement includes a signing contract bonus offer in the size of 9,500 yuan ($1,470) for returning workers and 8,500 yuan ($1,338) reward for new recruits hired through its internal referral program, with 1,000 yuan ($157) for the corresponding referrer; 9,000 yuan ($1,417) bonus for new joiners, who applied themselves.
There are several reasons for such incentives to boost recruitment. Firstly, the high necessity for experienced workers ahead of the national holiday – Lunar New Year, which takes place from January 31 to February 6, when workers tend to return home to their families all over the country. Secondly, the situation with coronavirus and recent Omicron and Delta surges in Henan province has led to quarantine restrictions for entering and leaving the region. The Zhengzhou production center plays a vital role in Apple’s supply chain, with almost 80% of iPhones coming from this place and it extremely needs people to maintain production of iPhone 13, the demand for which is remaining steady.
