Apple has stopped production of its iPhones: a first in ten years – Frandroid

Rare enough to point out, Apple has put on hiatus for “several days” the production of its iPhone line, Nikkei believes. At issue: the Covid-19 crisis and the many consequences that result from it.

The iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone 13 Pro Max, Apple’s smallest and largest smartphone // Source: FRANDROID

The Covid-19 and the shortage of components do not make a quarter. For more than a year now, the health crisis has caused serious dysfunctions in supply chains, and in particular that of semiconductors. Deficiencies that affect electronics in general.

The new technology sector, like the automotive sector, is hit hard by this phenomenon. But until then, a certain Apple seemed to be doing slightly better than the others. The firm at the apple has indeed played the card of anticipation to better meet demand.

The chains at a standstill

The Californian group would have placed enough orders for components to build up stocks and supply its customers. This observation established this summer by the organization Wave7 Research however took a lead in the wing in October: Apple reportedly canceled production of 10 million iPhones, the fault of the famous shortage.

Worse still, according to Nikkei and many sources in the sector, we learn that Apple would have even stopped the production of its range of iPhone during ” several days“. Without knowing the exact number of days. This remains a first in 10 years. An extremely rare fact, in short.

The iPhone 13 Pro Max // Source: Frandroid – Melinda Davan-Soulas

Always according to Nikkei, assembly lines are normally operating at full capacity during this period to meet global demand for Christmas shopping. So much so that overtime hours are usually legion. Problem: this is not the case here.

The employees would even have taken days off. A supply chain manager says “a limited number of components and chips“. It therefore seems illogical to him to make certain employees work, even though parts are missing to finalize the assembly of the iPhone.

Gloomy forecasts

Always according toNikkei, Apple would clearly not have met its production targets in September and October for theiPhone 13 – only 20%. Ditto for the iPad, which would have reached only 50% of the expected volumes still over the same period. Forecasts for older iPhone generations have dropped by 25%.

Clearly, this shortage of components does not only affect Apple’s latest phones, but a large part of its catalog. And the reasons for this trend are multiple and complex. Obviously, the closing of certain factories is one of the main explanations.

Source: Arnaud Gelineau – Frandroid

In Vietnam, for example, the shutdown of certain sites impacted the production of camera modules. Consequences: The assembly schedule is behind schedule. Other disruptions observed in Malaysia affected the production of electronic components and chips, not to mention rationing of electricity consumption in China.

Put end to end, all of these disturbances inevitably upset the specifications of a manufacturer. And whether you call yourself Apple or not, with the highest level of anticipation in the market, it is visibly difficult to extricate yourself from this situation without negative consequences.

Declining demand

However, Apple may be able to limit the breakage thanks to lower demand. The American giant would indeed have warned its suppliers of a drop in demand for the iPhone 13. But beware: this shortage of components could still last a year, or even more, according to expert estimates and companies.

It is therefore better to prevent than to cure and continue to anticipate the launch of new products as much as possible. At the risk of biting its fingers in the event of new waves and restrictive measures in the countries of Southeast Asia and in China, the industrial lungs of the planet on which all smartphone manufacturers depend.

The CEO of Qualcomm believes that the shortage of components is already starting to ease, but his optimistic words must be put back in the context of the launch of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
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