According to Bloomberg sources, Apple will manufacture up to ten million fewer iPhone 13 models than planned in the fourth calendar quarter.
Apple has so far been able to cushion the worst effects of the global shortage of electronic components due to its market power and large reserves in the supply chain, but it now looks like the company has had to accept that it won’t be able to manufacture as many iPhone 13 models as it had planned to in the last few months of 2021.
Since Apple has cut its manufacturing plans by 10 million iPhones the new iPhone series may sell out quicker than it would have.
Bloomberg’s Debby Wu reports that sources in the supply chain have indicated that Apple has lowered its production expectations for the iPhone 13 from 90 million to 80 million units. This is because suppliers will not be able to provide enough parts to meet Apple’s original targets.
Originally, Apple had intended to build 90 million devices in the last three months of the year, but suppliers such as Broadcom (who provides wireless components) and Texas Instruments (who builds parts for the displays) have been unable to supply enough components.
The reasons for the chip shortage are complex, the COVID pandemic has certainly played a significant role.
This article originally appeared on Macwelt. Translation and additional reporting by Karen Haslam.