Apple cuts LCD panel orders for iPhone 5 on weak demand

Apple has almost halved its order with suppliers of LCD panels for the iPhone 5 in the current quarter due to weak demand, the Nikkei reported toay.

Apple has asked suppliers Japan Display, Sharp and South Korean company LG Display to cut supply, down from an initial plan to order about 65 million units in the quarter, the Japanese daily said.

Japan Display's plant in Nomi, Ishikawa Prefecture, where the iPhone maker has invested heavily, is expected to temporarily reduce output by 70 per cent to 80 per cent compared to the October to December period, the financial daily reported.

Sharp's dedicated facility for iPhone 5 LCD panels in Mie Prefecture will lower production in January and February by about 40 per cent from the October to December quarter, when it was near full capacity, the daily said.

An Apple spokesperson was not immediately available for comment outside regular business hours.

* Reuters