Foxconn: Chip shortage could last until second half of 2022

Giant iPhone supplier Foxconn says it expects the ongoing global chip shortage to persist into the second half of 2022, in further bad news for product-starved Apple fans.

The prediction, reported by The Wall Street Journal (via MacRumors), suggests that for the next six months or more Apple will continue to have a tough time meeting demand for iPhones, iPads, Macs and the Apple Watch. So far, we’ve seen this issue manifest itself in the form of long delivery times and Apple urging its customers to order their devices early if they want to get them before Christmas.

The chip shortage started back in 2020 (caused by COVID-19 and the US/China trade war, among other factors), but Apple escaped the worst effects for a long period thanks to its market dominance and ability to leverage preferential treatment from suppliers. That is no longer the case.

Previously, Tim Cook had also warned that there might be reduced production of the iPhone by the end of the year due to the chip shortage. We’ve already heard that the situation could last until February; Foxconn’s pronouncement suggests it could be longer still.

This article originally appeared on Macworld Sweden. Translation (using DeepL) and additional reporting by David Price.