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Tue, 27 Feb 2007 Component makers scramble for iPhone contracts

Component makers want Apple to choose to use their parts in future products

Jonny Evans

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The Times has published an in-depth look at the deep competition between components vendors to persuade Apple to use their products within the iPhone.

The report, 'The battle for the heart of the iPhone' states the evident reality that technology firms know that getting their parts used in Apple's must-have mobile phone will be good for business and revenue.

The report looks at the competition between vendors, such as Scottish firm Wolfson Microelectronics, to supply such seeming small-fry parts as the audio codec used in the device.

"Wolfson and several other micro-electronics manufacturers, mostly from Taiwan, are now desperately wooing Apple for the right to have their components included," the report explains.

Apple is aiming to capture just 1 per cent of the giant mobile phone market by next year — and while that's far below the 80 per cent market share claimed by the iPod, it's a highly significant figure — it amounts to 10-12 million units.

"Securing a contract to make one of its more than 20 parts means not only guaranteed sales, but the kudos of being associated with one of the most desirable consumer goods on the market," The Times reports.

The report continues to explain the level of competition between manufacturers and furnishes a run-down of companies involved in bidding for present and future iPhone contracts.

These include: Hon Hai, Quanta, Inventec, Asustek, Intel, CSR, Catcher Technology, Broadcom, Marvell and Wolfson. Strangely, ARM Holdings doesn't make the list, despite it being widely believed that company supplies the iPhone processor.

Take a look at the report here.

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