iPhone 13 Demand Weakening Ahead of Holidays, Apple Tells Suppliers

Apple has informed some of its component suppliers that demand for the iPhone 13 models is slowing ahead of the holidays, reports Bloomberg. Reports of weakening demand come as delivery estimates for the ‌iPhone 13‌ and 13 Pro have started to improve, with the devices available to ship before Christmas.

iPhone 13 Pro Feature Blue
Apple in October cut 2021 iPhone 13 production by as many as 10 million units because of industry wide chip shortages. Apple was planning to produce 90 million ‌iPhone 13‌ models in 2021, but Broadcom and Texas Instruments were unable to deliver enough components.

According to Bloomberg, Apple was aiming to make up the shortfall in 2022 when supplies improve, but Apple has now informed vendors that it may not end up getting the necessary orders from customers.

During Apple's fourth quarter earnings call in October, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that the supply constraints on iPhones, iPads, and Macs had already cost Apple around $6 billion, and that the supply issues would continue into December.

At launch, available ‌iPhone 13‌ and ‌iPhone 13‌ Pro models sold out quickly, and for a good month after launch, there were long lead times on shipments. Cook said during the call that Apple was "working feverishly" to boost iPhone 13 supplies, and it appears that stock is now catching up with demand.

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Top Rated Comments

Michael Scrip Avatar
20 months ago

Makes sense. Minor “upgrade” from a 12.
Very true. The 13 is a minor upgrade year-over-year from the 12. I'll go as far to say you shouldn't upgrade to a 13 if you already have a 12.

But... how many of the billion iPhones out in the world are actually last year's 12 series? Not that many.

There are still PLENTY of iPhone 11, Xs, X, 8, etc out there whose owners could upgrade to the 13.

iPhones are pretty good these days and can last a long time. Hardly anyone is replacing an iPhone after just one year... and even two years is becoming rare.

So remember that the next time someone says "this new iPhone isn't much different than last year's iPhone"

It's not for them.

:p
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Quu Avatar
20 months ago

I don't agree that it's a minor upgrade from the 12.

The 13 Pro Max may have the single-best Back Wide image sensor Apple ever offers; they're going to a 48 Mpx with pixel binning next year.

Also, the additional SRAM in the A15 makes a very BIG difference, both for Perf & for Power Efficiency !
I even own a 13 Pro Max and think it's a minor upgrade over a 12. Let's not kid ourselves here, there's no massive changes. Heck even the photos I take look almost identical to the 11 Pro it replaces, admittedly I'm no professional photographer.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IamTimCook Avatar
20 months ago
Fool me once Macrumors….
Same exact story every year. Suppliers leak that Apple told them they’re cutting back on orders because of weak demand.
Apple’s following earning call… “We‘ve sold the most iPhones ever!”

Seriously, rinse and repeat articles here. Lol
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ouimetnick Avatar
20 months ago
Makes sense. Minor “upgrade” from a 12. Plus people may be opting for lower cost iPhone models as well.

If only the lead time for the new MacBook Pro would improve. I’m waiting till late January till mine arrives.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blackstick Avatar
20 months ago
Nothing unusual. For the iPhone 13 Pro it especially makes sense. Those who buy the most expensive, top of the line phones are early adopters - they're very dialed into the latest releases and want them asap.

Anyone buying an iPhone by now... not necessarily looking for latest and greatest - although some will, sure.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Amazing Iceman Avatar
20 months ago
Most people ordered them quickly before stock ran out. I ordered a Pro Max and the wait is until December 15 - 30
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)