Supply chain blockages delay delivery of Apple’s new iPhones
The increased lead time is also an indicator of robust demand for upgrades, says analyst
27 September 2021 - 17:00
byAniruddha Ghosh and Nivedita Balu
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A customer views an Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max smartphone for sale at a store in New York, US, on Friday September 24 2021. Picture: BLOOMBERG/JEENAH MOON
Apple’s customers will have to wait for a few more weeks to lay their hands on the new iPhone 13 as supply chain delays and strong demand lead to one of the longest waiting times for the phone in recent years, analysts said.
The delivery time for Apple’s iPhones after a new launch is watched by analysts as one of the measures to gauge demand for the flagship phone’s newest model. But this year it is also shining a light on supply chain issues plaguing technology companies ahead of the holiday shopping season.
Analysts at JPMorgan Chase and Credit Suisse said customers across the world who had pre-ordered the new models online would have to wait more than four weeks for the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max and about two weeks for the base iPhone 13.
In the US, which accounts for over a third of iPhone shipments, the delivery time for the iPhone 13 series was 19-34 days in the second week, compared with between seven and 20 days in the first week, both greater than the lead times for the iPhone 12 Series.
Apple was not immediately available to comment on the delays in delivery times.
“While admittedly part of the expansion in the lead times is on account of the supply chain constraints, we still find the material increase in the lead time in week two relative to week one as an indicator of the robust demand for upgrades, likely exceeding low investor expectations into the launch,” JPMorgan Chase analyst Samik Chatterjee said.
Apple’s partners Verizon, Vodafone UK and Best Buy cited high demand and product supply issues in replies to customers on Twitter.
Many users on social media also flagged the delays. “With a delay on the delivery for iPhone 13 pro max I might as well cancel! They talking [about until] October 30th,” one user said on Twitter.
On Sunday several Apple and Tesla suppliers suspended production at some Chinese factories for a number of days to comply with tighter energy consumption policies, putting supply chains at risk in the peak season for electronics goods.
The iPhone 13, priced between $699 and $1,599, comes with a sharper camera, a new bionic chip and improved connectivity. It has been available for pre-booking since September 17.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Supply chain blockages delay delivery of Apple’s new iPhones
The increased lead time is also an indicator of robust demand for upgrades, says analyst
Apple’s customers will have to wait for a few more weeks to lay their hands on the new iPhone 13 as supply chain delays and strong demand lead to one of the longest waiting times for the phone in recent years, analysts said.
The delivery time for Apple’s iPhones after a new launch is watched by analysts as one of the measures to gauge demand for the flagship phone’s newest model. But this year it is also shining a light on supply chain issues plaguing technology companies ahead of the holiday shopping season.
Analysts at JPMorgan Chase and Credit Suisse said customers across the world who had pre-ordered the new models online would have to wait more than four weeks for the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max and about two weeks for the base iPhone 13.
In the US, which accounts for over a third of iPhone shipments, the delivery time for the iPhone 13 series was 19-34 days in the second week, compared with between seven and 20 days in the first week, both greater than the lead times for the iPhone 12 Series.
Apple was not immediately available to comment on the delays in delivery times.
“While admittedly part of the expansion in the lead times is on account of the supply chain constraints, we still find the material increase in the lead time in week two relative to week one as an indicator of the robust demand for upgrades, likely exceeding low investor expectations into the launch,” JPMorgan Chase analyst Samik Chatterjee said.
Apple’s partners Verizon, Vodafone UK and Best Buy cited high demand and product supply issues in replies to customers on Twitter.
Many users on social media also flagged the delays. “With a delay on the delivery for iPhone 13 pro max I might as well cancel! They talking [about until] October 30th,” one user said on Twitter.
On Sunday several Apple and Tesla suppliers suspended production at some Chinese factories for a number of days to comply with tighter energy consumption policies, putting supply chains at risk in the peak season for electronics goods.
The iPhone 13, priced between $699 and $1,599, comes with a sharper camera, a new bionic chip and improved connectivity. It has been available for pre-booking since September 17.
Reuters
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