Apple Continues to Diversify Suppliers Ahead of iPhone 14 Launch

Apple has added to its list of suppliers for the iPhone 14 series in a bid to avoid potential supply chain shortages when mass production of the devices begins, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

iPhone 14 Pro Lineup Feature Purple
In a series of tweets, Kuo said components from SG Micro have passed quality certification for the high-end iPhone 14 models, meaning the Chinese company has been greenlighted to supply components for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

SG Micro specializes in integrated circuits, and Apple will use its power management integrated circuitry in the upcoming iPhones. Kuo notes that this is the first time SG Micro has provided components for high-end iPhones, implying that its technical capabilities have reached the "tier-1 level" required for use in premium consumer electronics.

Kuo recently said that some iPhone 14 components such as display panels are facing supply chain issues, but the analyst believes the issues will have a limited impact on upcoming mass production of iPhone 14 models, which are expected to be announced in September.

The lineup is expected to include the 6.1-inch iPhone 14, 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, and 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max, but there will be no "mini" device this year.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys

Sunday July 6, 2025 3:03 pm PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that ...
iphone 17 pro render majin bu

New iPhone 17 Pro Renders Highlight Apple Logo and MagSafe Design Changes

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:43 pm PDT by
New renders today provide the best look yet relocated Apple logo and redesigned MagSafe magnet array of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Image via Majin Bu. Several of the design changes coming to the iPhone 17 Pro model have been rumored for some time, such as the elongated camera bump that spans the full width of the device, with the LiDAR Scanner and flash moving to the right side. ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...

Top Rated Comments

BootsWalking Avatar
39 months ago
In a series of tweets, Kuo said components from SG Micro have passed quality certification for the high-end iPhone 14 models, meaning the Chinese company has been greenlighted to supply components for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

That's like McDonald's diversifying its menu by adding an extra-large fries to it.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ian87w Avatar
39 months ago

So they are saying a company which before made not so great integrated circuits now just about makes better ones, hence loads of iPhone 14 Pros will have kinda okay integrated circuits, a test for SG Micro to get it right. Nothing like gambling your flagship phones on a new supplier in the mix, rather than long established companies known for their quality in your top of the line range, rather than using SG Micro as a test bed in your non pro line up just to be cautious. Yep that seems totally logical...
Well, if something went wrong, Apple can simply say the user is using the phone wrong and deny anything. And then silently release a repair program for specific small set of batches for 2 years (typical Applecare length, so nobody would benefit beyond the standard warranty). While the money is pouring in, expense is minimized, while future profit is increased through customers wanting repairs beyond the repair program and customers upgrading sooner than they planned.

Isn't Tim Cook smart?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
robd003 Avatar
39 months ago
Apple really needs to diversify their manufacturing outside of China. They could be building products in the rest of Southeast Asia so they aren't at the mercy of a single government.

I'd be willing to pay an extra $200 - $300 for my Mac if they had a Made in the USA option available.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flofixer Avatar
39 months ago
I hope this doesn't cause another "does my phone have the samsung or tsmc chip?" issue.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarAnalogy Avatar
39 months ago

Well, if something went wrong, Apple can simply say the user is using the phone wrong and deny anything. And then silently release a repair program for specific small set of batches for 2 years (typical Applecare length, so nobody would benefit beyond the standard warranty). While the money is pouring in, expense is minimized, while future profit is increased through customers wanting repairs beyond the repair program and customers upgrading sooner than they planned.

Isn't Tim Cook smart?
Well I gotta say when my AirPods Pro developed an issue suspiciously like this, they launched a repair program for three years from date of purchase, and I got mine replaced with no hassle other than having to go to the Apple Store.

Granted they didn't publicize the program at all, I only knew about it because of good ol' MacRumors.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Core Avatar
39 months ago

Apple really needs to diversify their manufacturing outside of China. They could be building products in the rest of Southeast Asia so they aren't at the mercy of a single government.

I'd be willing to pay an extra $200 - $300 for my Mac if they had a Made in the USA option available.
Agree 100%! Scary how the second most valuable company in the world depend solely on China. Tim Cook should be fired.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)