Apple Computer Inc. could push out the introduction of the next-generation iPhone, which may put a damper on the NAND flash market in 2008, according to an analyst. ”Although Samsung expects NAND fundamentals to hold and improve into CY08, our recent checks suggest that, due to a pushout in the introduction of such ‘killer applications’ as the second-generation iPhone from the March/April time frame to mid to late summer, demand for NAND in 1H08 could weaken more than expected,” said Mehdi Hosseini, an analyst with Friedman Billings Ramsey & Co. Inc. (FBR), in a report.

Indeed, after recently rolling out the iPhone, Apple is projected to show new and less expensive products in 2008. Apple is also working on new iPods, which, in turn, could drive the NAND market in 2008.

Still, NAND looks sluggish heading into 2008. Alan Niebel, chief executive of Web-Feet Research Inc., said that there is an oversupply of NAND in the market right now. The oversupply mode could last ”into the first part of 2008,” he said in an interview.Source