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Apple Working 'Really, Really Hard' to Remedy Supply Constraints on iPhones, Macs, iPads and Some Apple Watches

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Multiple Apple products are seeing supply constraints, including the new iPhone 12 models, Macs, iPads, and some Apple Watch models. Apple CEO Tim Cook today told investors that Apple is "working really, really hard" to remedy the supply issues.

iphone 12 vs iphone 12 mini

If you look at iPhone, we're constrained today. Not a surprise at the front end of the ramp, and how long we'll be constrained is hard to predict. We haven't taken orders yet for iPhone 12 mini or Pro Max, so those are coming and we shall see. Right now we are supply constrained, and for avoidance of confusion, we're constrained on Mac and iPad and some Apple Watches.

A fair number of areas of focus right now and we're working really, really hard to remedy those as quickly as we can. At this point, I can't estimate when we'll be out of that.

Several of Apple's iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models sold out within a few hours of launch, and many new orders are now shipping out later in November. We can likely expect to see similar constraints for the upcoming iPhone 12 Pro Max and 12 mini, as these devices were held back due to rumored production issues that required Apple to wait to build up enough supply.

Given the situation with iPhone 12 and 12 Pro pre-orders, those planning to purchase a 12 mini or 12 Pro Max should plan to do so right when pre-orders go live on Friday, November 6 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

As for the Mac and iPad, there have been long shipping delays on some models throughout the last several months, and many Apple Watch models also sold out quickly after launch in September.

Tag: Earnings

Top Rated Comments

SchrodingersMartian Avatar
SchrodingersMartian
71 months ago

Haha,..this is what Apple do best, in creating fake demand by limiting supply. The idea has always been to limit manufacture & hold less stock, thereby always creating pent up demand. Thats what Steve loved about Tim.

Are you telling me that a billion dollar company, year after year after year, doesn't not know how to stock up??🙄
Considering there is a PANdemic that no one could have seen coming I think they are doing pretty good.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
N
Nebrie
71 months ago

Haha,..this is what Apple do best, in creating fake demand by limiting supply. The idea has always been to limit manufacture & hold less stock, thereby always creating pent up demand. Thats what Steve loved about Tim.

Are you telling me that a billion dollar company, year after year after year, doesn't not know how to stock up??🙄
This is what's so sad about modern society now. If you don't have the expertise to assess a complex situation, you make up a conspiracy to fill in the gap.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IIGS User Avatar
IIGS User
71 months ago
Got my 12 Pro in Pacific Blue a week ago tomorrow.

Guess pre ordering still pays off...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
beermode Avatar
beermode
71 months ago

PANdemic? This has nothing to do with the Pandemic,..where was the Pandemic last year and the year before, and year before that? Stock is ALWAYS either unavailable or sold out on release....ALWAYS! As I said, Apple always tries to produce just enough stock to sell, so their loyal customers ALWAYS have to wait. This is what creates the excitement and FOMO..
There is supply chain issues. Of course, you can pretend there isn't.
Some of you would have blown an artery if you were mountain bikers. Orders are 6 months out. Brake pads are oos everywhere.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bLackjackj Avatar
bLackjackj
71 months ago

Considering there is a PANdemic that no one could have seen coming I think they are doing pretty good.
PANdemic? This has nothing to do with the Pandemic,..where was the Pandemic last year and the year before, and year before that? Stock is ALWAYS either unavailable or sold out on release....ALWAYS! As I said, Apple always tries to produce just enough stock to sell, so their loyal customers ALWAYS have to wait. This is what creates the excitement and FOMO..
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BuddyTronic Avatar
BuddyTronic
71 months ago

Haha,..this is what Apple do best, in creating fake demand by limiting supply. The idea has always been to limit manufacture & hold less stock, thereby always creating pent up demand. Thats what Steve loved about Tim.

Are you telling me that a billion dollar company, year after year after year, doesn't not know how to stock up??🙄
There are limits though. There isn’t unlimited space in the warehouse. There are hundreds of components.

I would think Apple rarely goes “line down” in assembly, but it’s probably a balancing act of great proportions to preserve efficiency and keep the profit margin high.

“fixing” the constrained supply might cost money. That seems to me to be a more likely reason. Time and money.

I think they sell a million phones every single day or something. How many per second is that? I don’t think they need to fake the demand for the iPhone - the demand is really there.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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