I don't see anything in the article that says it's a 10% cut compared to last year, but maybe I missed it, can you clarify?
Along with the context that there is absolutely no news here if this is merely a dip in production from Oct-Dec to Jan-March as holiday sales are always high and then dip down significantly after January. The year-over-year trend is what matters.
Further context to back this up, from the USA Today article on this same story: "Apple has hinted throughout the year sales of its iPhone would decline. Fiscal year revenue for 2016 dropped for the first time in fifteen years. Meanwhile, fourth quarter iPhone shipments were down 5% from the same time last year."
It's a year-over-year trend, which is relatively unexpected, not quarter-over-quarter which is absolutely expected in this period.
there is absolutely no news here if this is merely a dip in production from Oct-Dec to Jan-March as holiday sales are always high and then dip down significantly after January.