A strong pull-in of short lead-time orders is filling Winbond Electronics' production capacity for NOR flash memory, according to industry sources. The orders are reportedly placed for Apple's AirPods
Winbond has responded saying it does not comment on specific orders and customers.
Winbond was approached by Apple recently for additional NOR flash memory for use in its AirPods devices, said the sources, adding that the launch of the iPhone 12s without the inclusion of wired earphones has been boosting sales of the earbuds.
Winbond is also expected to be among the NOR flash suppliers for Apple's next-generation AirPods Pro slated for launch later in the first half of this year, the sources indicated. The Taiwan-based chipmaker will be running its NOR flash production lines at nearly full capacity utilization during the six-month period.
China-based GigaDevice is already a supplier for the AirPods Pro, but Apple is looking to diversify its supplier base for the popular earbuds, the sources said.
In addition, Winbond reportedly has raised its NOR flash quotes for the first quarter by 10%, the sources noted. The chipmaker is likely to make another upward adjustments in its NAND flash prices in the following quarters to reflect its tight supply, the sources said.
Tight capacity at NOR flash chipmakers is expected to push up the memory ASPs by 20-30% in 2021, according to the sources.
