Analysts say supply constraints in China will trim Apple’s quarterly iPhone output by about 20 million units. A widely cited forecast surfaced on a blog post on Medium, attributed to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The projection suggests Apple will move 70 million to 75 million units of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, roughly 15 to 20 million fewer than previously planned.
The shortfall is linked to COVID-19 disruptions, including factory lockdowns and worker protests at Foxconn, the facility where many iPhones are assembled in China. Kuo noted that Pegatron and Luxshare ICT have received roughly 10% of the production orders for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, but finished shipments are not expected before the end of December.
With the higher cost of the iPhone 14 Pro family and the anticipated manufacturing delays, Apple faces a setback to Q4 revenue for 2022. The lack of available devices is expected to influence consumer buying as the holiday season approaches.
Current retail channels in the United States report no immediate stock on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, with shipments anticipated no later than December 29. This situation raises the possibility that many shoppers may not receive the device in time for gifting during the holidays.
Earlier coverage noted that tensions at the world’s largest iPhone factory were documented on public platforms, highlighting concerns about production stability and supply chain resilience during the winter season.