Apple could face iPhone 6 shortages next year

The iPhone 6 could be harder to find next year as Apple shifts its production ratio toward the 6 Plus, according to UBS analyst Steven Milunovich.

“Given the ramp in [December] we do expect a sequential decline of 40 per cent or so in March, mostly in the smaller iPhone 6,” he said. “We think interest in the larger 6 Plus may be greater than Apple expected, necessitating a mix shift.”

Asia, particularly China, is driving demand for the 6 Plus.

Barclays recently predicted a strong demand for the 6 Plus this spring, coinciding with the giftgiving during Chinese New Year.

Apple initially underestimated demand for the 6 Plus, resulting in supply shortages.

UBS pointed not only to demand in China, but in the States as well.

“Sales in the US have been 3-to-1 in favour of the smaller iPhone 6, but that may be underestimating true 6 Plus demand given tight supply,” said Milunovich.

We’ll have to wait until next year to see if Apple can ramp up 6 Plus production without sacrificing iPhone 6 sales.