As an illustration that iPhone 5 sales are not as strong as expected, Apple has cut orders for components for the model, according to a report.

The Wall Street Journal, citing "people familiar with the situation," reports that Apple cut its order for iPhone 5 screens for the January-March quarter "by roughly half of what the company had previously planned to order." Apple notified suppliers about the reduced orders last month, according to the report, which adds that other component orders were also affected. Though the report garnered attention Monday morning, some pointed out that the information wasn't new. Peter Misek, an analyst with Jeffries & Co., for instance, noted the order cuts in a Dec. 14 note to clients. BGR also notes that the fiscal fourth quarter traditionally posts far fewer sales than the fiscal fourth quarter, so there's nothing unusual about cutting back in the face of en ebb in seasonal demand.

Apple could not be reached for comment on the report.

The report comes as the market share for Android-based smartphones hit 72% globally last November, according to Gartner. Apple's iOS fell from 15% in Q3 2011 to 13.9% in Q3 2012, the researcher estimates.

Apple's stock was down more than 3% in pre-market trading on the news and was flirting with $500. The company's stock price dropped to that level back in December for the first time in 10 months. Apple's stock had eclipsed $700 after the iPhone 5 launch. The subsequent drop off has come as other supplier reports have indicated weaker-than-expected demand, though Apple's iPhone 5 launch in China last month offered some hope for investors.

The apparent sales slowdown has prompted Apple to reportedly explore the idea of a cheaper iPhone model. Apple is expected to report its fiscal first-quarter results on Jan. 23.

Image courtesy of Apple