Apple Supplier Broadcom Expecting iPhone Launch Delays

[MacRumors]

Broadcom, a company that makes components for Apple's iPhone, today suggested some 2020 iPhone models could see a delayed launch this year due to the ongoing global health crisis.

As relayed by Bloomberg, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan today discussed a "major product cycle delay" at a "large North American mobile phone" company. There was no mention of Apple by name, but according to Bloomberg, this is phrasing that Tan often uses to describe Apple.

Tan was discussing the situation because wireless revenue expected by Broadcom will come one quarter later than usual in 2020.

"We are in," Hock said, referring Broadcom components in the iPhone. "The question is timing."

"This year, we do not expect to see this uptick in revenue until our fourth fiscal quarter," the CEO added. "So accordingly, we expect, our wireless revenue in Q3 will be down sequentially."

There have been mixed rumors about iPhone release dates, but most information suggests Apple is still planning to debut new devices this fall. There may, however, be delays that will cause some of the new iPhones to be released at a later date than normal.

Apple in 2018 released the iPhone XS and XS Max in September and later released the iPhone XR in October, so we could potentially see a similar staggered release this year.

Article Link: Apple Supplier Broadcom Expecting iPhone Launch Delays

 

[Williesleg]

That's ok, with all the unemployment and disease and riots, I'm sure there will be purchasing delays.

 

[EugW]

Broadcom's fiscal year end is December November.

That means Broadcom iPhones mostly won't be in manufacturing until September/October, so wide availability likely won't be until November or later.

EDIT:

Technically Apple could get chips later in August since that fiscal quarter would include part of August, which could mean an official availability date in October, but I wouldn't be surprised if supply was on the low side for October. That would mean a lot of people may have to wait until November.

 

[Mr. Dee]

It will be an interesting period to watch. I don’t think it will sell well by Apple standards, but it will be an amount that other manufacturers will envy to have. For me, when see stories that my iPhone X is even more powerful than the latest Samsung Galaxy 20 Ultra; I don’t see the necessity in upgrading. On top of that, I’m sure the X will get iOS 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and possibly 20.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

Yes we all know about the sept delay to a month or two later. Doesn’t really matter with all the pent up pandemic demand Out there combined with the 5G rollout is going to make this a super duper cycle. FCF is going to be insane.

 

[EugW]

It will be an interesting period to watch. I don’t think it will sell well by Apple standards, but it will be an amount that other manufacturers will envy to have. For me, when see stories that my iPhone X is even more powerful than the latest Samsung Galaxy 20 Ultra; I don’t see the necessity in upgrading. On top of that, I’m sure the X will get iOS 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and possibly 20.

I was starting to think my iPhone 7 Plus was becoming too slow the other day, after I upgraded to iOS 13.5. I was noticing a lot more delays than usual. Then I remembered it was because it was in Low Power Mode. Sure, new iPhones are faster, but the 7 Plus in full power mode is still remarkably responsive. I expect it will get iOS 14, and likely even iOS 15.

 

[now i see it]

The smart choice is to buy the previous year's model anyway, so no biggie

 

[Cosmosent]

AAPL needs to hold their Earnings Release Call for their 4Q20 Qtr by the End of Oct.

As such, they will most-likely "Announce" their new 2020 iPhone products early that week.

Actual Availability / Release Dates is anybody's guess; could be many weeks later.

 

[Metrosey]

I was starting to think my iPhone 7 Plus was becoming too slow the other day, after I upgraded to iOS 13.5. I was noticing a lot more delays than usual. Then I remembered it was because it was in Low Power Mode. Sure, new iPhones are faster, but the 7 Plus in full power mode is still remarkably responsive. I expect it will get iOS 14, and likely even iOS 15.

Mine is very responsive too

 

[mtneer]

"Tan was discussing the situation because wireless revenue expected by Broadcom will come one quarter later than usual in 2020."

If iPhone launch is delayed into October (a month or two) - why would Broadcom's revenue slip by a quarter? Or is Broadcom signaling that the new iPhone will also be delayed by a quarter - ie. launching in January 2021??

 

[macduke]

The 2021 iPhone sounds like it will be way better anyway.

 

[EugW]

"Tan was discussing the situation because wireless revenue expected by Broadcom will come one quarter later than usual in 2020."

If iPhone launch is delayed into October (a month or two) - why would Broadcom's revenue slip by a quarter? Or is Broadcom signaling that the new iPhone will also be delayed by a quarter - ie. launching in January 2021??

Broadcom's Q4 fiscal quarter ends in early November. Normally they would have expected Apple to require their chips in the summer for manufacturing. That kind of volume would have a significant impact on Broadcom's fiscal third quarter revenue, which is the revenue from the period including now until August.

What they are telling us is they won't be selling many chips to Apple in this quarter. Those sales will happen next quarter. But remember, this is for manufacturing. Actual retail sales happen weeks to months later.

Typical Apple iPhone arrival dates are in late September, but those are manufactured much earlier. If Apple isn't getting the Broadcom chips until August/September to begin with, they may not have wide availability of those iPhones until probably Novemberish. Perhaps they'll have an official availability date of late October though, and you may get one if you're lucky enough to get an early order in, in a period of limited availability.

---

So, after thinking about it, here is my unofficial prediction:

2020-10-13: iPhone 12 series launch date
2020-10-23: iPhone 12 series retail availability, but only some models
2020-11: iPhone 12 series retail availability, remaining models

 

[macfan90]

Owell. Life will go on. No one “needs” and over priced cell phone. It’s all want.

 

[CausticSoda]

I reckon that by the time most people can actually get their choice of iPhone 12 model in their hands it will be well into 2021. Think how late on in the year the iPhone has sometimes become widely available, even without Covid etc. If that is the case, I can see a lot of people thinking they may as well wait 6-8 months for iPhone 13, or whatever the next version is called. I wonder if Apple will end up moving the annual release date, or even skipping a year? Perhaps they might release the non-pro versions at the end of the year and hold off on the pros, for example? It will be interesting to see. I'm happy enough to let my X run for a year longer than planned, anyway.

 

[EugW]

I reckon that by the time most people can actually get their choice of iPhone 12 model in their hands it will be well into 2021. Think how late on in the year the iPhone has sometimes become widely available, even without Covid etc. If that is the case, I can see a lot of people thinking they may as well wait 6-8 months for iPhone 13, or whatever the next version is called. I wonder if Apple will end up moving the annual release date, or even skipping a year? Perhaps they might release the non-pro versions at the end of the year and hold off on the pros, for example? It will be interesting to see. I'm happy enough to let my X run for a year longer than planned, anyway.

Nah, I think Apple will push very, very hard to get the phones out long before Xmas.

 

[Baymowe335]

That's ok, with all the unemployment and disease and riots, I'm sure there will be purchasing delays.

Careful with how much you allow the media to influence your opinion.

99.9% of the places, there are no riots and very few have any impact on the broader economy, except a few insurance claims and maybe extra bandaids.

Apple jut proved it can put up phenomenal numbers during a global freak out with all their stores closed at various times in the quarter.

Had the media not pumped both stories with every breath, most people wouldn’t even know there was a new virus or a murder case With possible racial undertones.

 

[cmaier]

Owell. Life will go on. No one “needs” and over priced cell phone. It’s all want.

It’s not overpriced.
Many people make their living using these, so they “need” them.

 

[CausticSoda]

Nah, I think Apple will push very, very hard to get the phones out long before Xmas.

I'm sure they will, but will they get there? It reminds me a bit of this Farside cartoon.

 

[FlyingDutch]

I’m not in an hurry tbh. My iPhone 11 Pro is really great in every single aspect.

 

[EugW]

I’m not in an hurry tbh. My iPhone 11 Pro is really great in every single aspect.

Owners of the 11 series are not the target market for the 12 series. I always wonder why people find this so hard to understand.

 

[FlyingDutch]

Owners of the 11 series are not the target market for the 12 series. I always wonder why people find this so hard to understand.

Did I speak about “people” ? I spoke about myself.
I always wonder why people find this so hard to understand 😩

can you see the difference between “there is no need for iPhone 12” and “I AM NOT in an hurry” ?
Read again my comment to see which one I used.

 

[EugW]

Did I speak about “people” ? I spoke about myself.
I always wonder why people find this so hard to understand 😩

can you see the difference between “there is no need for iPhone 12” and “I AM NOT in an hurry” ?
Read again my comment to see which one I used.

As already mentioned, you’re not the target market.

 

[mihirspeaks]

Mine is very responsive too

yes, you will surely get updated to ios 14 as the 7th gen ipad has also got A10 fusion. And likely, iphone7 and iphone 7plus will be stucked forever to ios 15 or may be 16
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I reckon that by the time most people can actually get their choice of iPhone 12 model in their hands it will be well into 2021. Think how late on in the year the iPhone has sometimes become widely available, even without Covid etc. If that is the case, I can see a lot of people thinking they may as well wait 6-8 months for iPhone 13, or whatever the next version is called. I wonder if Apple will end up moving the annual release date, or even skipping a year? Perhaps they might release the non-pro versions at the end of the year and hold off on the pros, for example? It will be interesting to see. I'm happy enough to let my X run for a year longer than planned, anyway.

You are right upto certain extent. Apple will launch their pro models first and then they will launch their soo called affordable series of iphone 12.

 

[JosephAW]

You know things are getting back to normal when you start hearing about iPhone delay rumors.

I'll be happier when iOS 14 comes out for my iPhone 11. Right now my iPhone 8 boots up faster and seems snappier because iOS 13 has been optimized for older iOS devices. When the 11 becomes an older device they will optimize iOS for it and will be faster than the iPhone 12.

 

[EugW]

I'll be happier when iOS 14 comes out for my iPhone 11. Right now my iPhone 8 boots up faster and seems snappier because iOS 13 has been optimized for older iOS devices. When the 11 becomes an older device they will optimize iOS for it and will be faster than the iPhone 12.

That makes no sense whatsoever.