West Florida Components

We are always amazed when we see the complete list of components and parts that are in some of today’s smartphones. Besides being the ‘latest and the greatest’ as far as technology goes, the parts are also getting smaller with every iteration and release.

Take, for example, the Apple iPhone 4S. Looking beyond the plastic enclosures, the LCD screens and the cameras, there are hundreds of surface mount board level components needed to build just one iPhone 4S including capacitors, transistors, diodes, LEDS and magnetic components. Some are needed for RF purposes, some for switching, and others for power management. Even more components are needed for memory and app processing.

In all, this list is not much different from the requirements of past iPhones or other smartphones however, the size of the components and the vast array of components required will never cease to amaze us!

Analysts are wondering if a shortage of electronic components might lead to smaller supplies of smartphones, video game consoles and other personal electronics like MP3 players, which usually sell very well during the holidays.

Jason Busch, the founder and Managing Director of advisory firm Azul Partners said “There are a lot of conflicting signals within the supply chain right now. The losers will be consumers who might not get the products they want and manufacturers who will see an impact in holiday sales.”

The current shortage is likely related to the weakened market beginning in 2008. Many Chinese factories slowed production or closed entirely and the market has still not fully recovered although demand for the components began increasing more than a year ago.

In spite of an unemployment rate of 9.6%, the National Retail Federation has predicted a 2.3% increase in holiday sales this year. If the electronic components are not available for the production lines, the electronic component shortage could negatively affect that forecast.

Research firm, Canalys, reports that Android platform smartphone sales increased an amazing 886% in the 2nd quarter.

An even bigger accomplishment is the fact that Android based phones now account for 34% of the market – topping all other platforms including Apple’s popular iPhone platform.

The press release from Canalys also reports that Android devices combined reached almost 475,000 units in Q2 2010 from no presence in the country a year ago. The Google-backed Android is available in phones from HTC, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and LG, among others.

In total, the US market for smartphones is the largest established market in the world, and it still continues to show rapid growth. In the 2nd quarter of 2010, there were 14.7 million smart phone units shipped.

Buy a smartphone in May, chances are that you can buy a bigger – better – upgraded – faster – prettier – cooler phone in June. It’s been that way for years with PCs and notebook computers so why should the smartphone market be any different?

I’m still waiting on my backordered HTC Incredible, but we already have 3 of them in service on our plan. They’ve quickly become the all-time favorite phone at West Florida Components. Powered by a 1GHz processor, these phones are fast! Other favorite features are the 8MP camera, the GPS and the large touch screen. We’re already watching and waiting to see what other gee-whiz features will be added on to this Android-based phone in V2 but we all agree the single biggest improvement they could make to this phone would be an improved battery. Then we won’t have to close down unused apps to preserve battery life.

One thing is for sure: by the time my backordered HTC Incredible finally arrives, the next ‘gotta-have-it’ phone will already be available. That gives me another 2 years to figure out which phone I just have to have next!