Apple’s upcoming flagship iPhone 14 series is reportedly facing supply issues as the company prepares for its launch. Suppliers are experiencing component shortages. However, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities believes this should have a limited impact on mass production of the devices.
I’ve learned that some iPhone 14 panel and memory suppliers have had supply issues recently,” Kuo said in a tweet. While it’s on the surface, it might be a cause for concern given that Apple historically unveils and releases a new iPhone around September each year. However, Kuo goes on to explain that other vendors can help fill the gap.
(1/3) I have learned that some iPhone 14 panel and memory suppliers have had supply issues recently, but this should have limited impact on the upcoming iPhone 14 mass production as other suppliers can fill the supply gap .
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) July 19, 2022
As Kuo notes, Samsung is “almost the sole supplier for 3Q22 and can meet the growing demand for iPhone 14 Pro production.” Kuo expects Micron & SK Hynix to start shipping in Q4 2022 at the earliest. Micron’s certification schedule is said to have started later. Hynix, on the other hand, ran into quality issues.
As for panel suppliers, Kuo predicted that Samsung and BOE will fill the gap caused by LG Display. The panel supplier ran into appearance issues with the base iPhone 14 and Max models. However, Kuo says that LG Display “shouldn’t take long to address the issue.”
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard that the iPhone 14 is facing supply issues. In May, it was reported that some of the iPhone 14 series devices may be delayed due to the COVID-19 lockdown in China. In addition, the ongoing war in Ukraine could also create obstacles for Apple’s supply chain.
Apple doesn’t shy away from juggling the releases of certain iPhone models. For example, in 2018, Apple released the iPhone XR ahead of its more premium iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. Perhaps the iPhone 14 range could face a similar rollout given the manufacturing conditions.
As noted earlier, Apple is likely to launch the iPhone 14 this fall. However, we will have to wait for an official confirmation from the company on its keynote later this year.
Source: @mingchikuo
Via: 9to5Mac
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