According to Ming-Chi-Kuo, "We predict Amazon (US) will launch its own brand smartphone in 3-6 months, using the same hardware strategy as used for its e-reader and tablet," The supply chain will start stocking up materials in 2Q14 for production. We estimate required components will amount to 700k-1.2mn units, and assembly to 300-600k units. Related suppliers will start to see benefits in 2Q14.
The key feature of the smartphone, we believe, will be the six cameras, Aside from the main camera, which is used to take pictures, and the sub camera, used for video conferencing (these are both found in all smartphones), we think the other four cameras will be used for gesture control, allowing users to operate the smartphone without touching the touch panel...
While Amazons smartphone is at the experimental stage, we think its hardware features and business model may have the potential to garner a positive market reaction, fueling robust sales growth, If this is the case, we believe the shares of top beneficiaries Sunnic and Primax will outperform accordingly."
Rumored specs for this device are as follows:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor
- 4.7-inch display
- 300 and 320 ppi, a plastic housing
- 13-megapixel main camera supplied by Sony
- battery sized between 2,000 and 2,400 mAh.