iPhone 13 Reportedly Having Production Issues, Leaving Customers to Face Prolonged Delivery Times

[MacRumors]

The newly launched iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro are apparently hitting a snag in production, mainly due to a new wave of health concerns and limited manufacturing capacity for the devices' camera systems in Vietnam, according to a new report from Nikkei Asia.

The iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max all feature sensor-shift optical image stabilization, a feature that was previously exclusive to the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and the feature’s expansion is reportedly the root cause of production difficulties.

According to today's report, the expansion of sensor-shift OIS to all models of the 2021 iPhone lineup has put on a strain on Apple's suppliers as demand for the system is significantly higher, adding to pressure to meet Apple's high-quality standards, raising demand, and the battle against the global health crisis.

This has put suppliers in the position of having to ramp up production without jeopardizing production quality, against the backdrop of severe restrictions due to COVID.

"Assemblers can still produce the new iPhones, but there's a supply gap [in] that the inventories of the camera modules are running low," one of the executives with direct knowledge told Nikkei Asia. "There's nothing we can do but to monitor the situation in Vietnam every day and wait for them to ramp up the output."

Demand for the new iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro has been high, according to early estimates shared by analysts.. This year's iPhone features considerable upgrades compared to the iPhone 12, including a ProMotion display, smaller notch, and more premium camera features.

Nikkie Asia reports that production issues should begin to clear up in mid-October but adds caution that some of Apple's other suppliers, such as Foxconn and Pegatron, could start to see issues in the near future. On the flip side, the iPhone 13's high demand is leading some of Apple's suppliers to prioritize the Cupertino tech giant over other clients.

The situation may improve as soon as around mid-October as production at one of the key iPhone camera module manufacturing facilities in southern Vietnam has gradually resumed in recent days after several months of on-and-off disruption, another executive familiar with the situation told Nikkei.

So far, key iPhone assemblers Foxconn, Pegatron and Luxshare have not yet been significantly affected by the power cuts, Nikkei learned. But still unknown is the scope of a potential chain reaction from production halts at the makers of materials, components, modules and parts.

Apple's suppliers have also had to battle reduced work hours due to new energy restrictions in China, ultimately impacting production.

Article Link: iPhone 13 Reportedly Having Production Issues, Leaving Customers to Face Prolonged Delivery Times

 

[Justin Cymbal]

I didn’t even have to place my order at midnight when pre-orders went live- I placed it at noon on the Friday that pre-orders were available and got it delivered on the 24th

I’m glad I got it last Friday though now that Apple is having production issues…

Looking forward to Apple coming out with the ProRes update for the iPhone 13 Pro- I read that Apple is going to push out that update sometime before the end of this year but ProRes only works on the 256gb or larger which start at $1099- so if you want ProRes make sure to order the right model

 

[rmoliv]

They never learn do they? It's the same every year!!!

 

[MathersMahmood]

Lies. Its all the customers in Taiwan shopping centre taking them all 🤣

 

[pdxplm]

Got mine on the 24th and have 0 regrets. Coming from a 7+ this thing is amazing!

 

[ghostface147]

I didn’t even have to place my order at midnight when pre-orders went live- I placed it at noon on the Friday that pre-orders were available and got it delivered on the 24th

I’m glad I got it last Friday though now that Apple is having production issues…

Looking forward to Apple coming out with the ProRes update for the iPhone 12 Pro!

There is no ProRes coming for the 12 Pro.

 

[Mr. Dee]

This always happen, by January everything will be normal and anyone who wants one will be able to get one. But based on my visit to the Apple store last Saturday, people are upgrading like crazy.

 

[calzon65]

COVID has shown bare some of the negative side effects of a highly distributed, co-dependent parts manufacturing model, across certain less than dependable countries (not attacking Vietnam mentioned in the story), where one tiny part can hold up an entire production line. Look at the pain the auto industry is experiencing as they shutter entire manufacturing lines because of a few or single critical component. Distributed manufacturing can be a smart strategy, but companies need to rethink the risks.

 

[irq987]

Wonderful. UPS lost my pre-ordered iPhone 13 while still managing to deliver my new iPad on the 24th. My delivery date is already now in November. I hope it doesn’t slip further.

 

[Armada2]

Wonderful. UPS lost my pre-ordered iPhone 13 while still managing to deliver my new iPad on the 24th. My delivery date is already now in November. I hope it doesn’t slip further.

You might as well wait for the iPhone 14 now 🤣

 

[Spanther]

🎶Tale as old as time🎶

Every. Single. Year. They've been copy/pasting this same article since the iPhone 3G.

 

[BarredOwl]

And you can bet that all this scrambling will cause even more quality issues.

The renewed Apple we knew since 1997 is horribly broken.

 

[irq987]

You might as well wait for the iPhone 14 now 🤣

The thought did cross my mind.

 

[Justin Cymbal]

There is no ProRes coming for the 12 Pro.

Typo- meant to say iPhone 13 Pro- I ordered the one in 256gb- the 128gb is not going to get the ProRes update

 

[howywood]

I have to say I was very underwhelmed by the updates from the event ... but actually having it, the screen is a game changer. I was blown away even coming from a 12 Pro.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Every year, same reports. I feel like I read this kind of thing so many times even in the pre-pandemic days.

 

[IIGS User]

We were down the beach yesterday and I took some night photographs from the oceanfront balcony of our hotel room with my 13 Pro Max. Also took some macro photos over the weekend.

The camera on this thing is pretty awesome. I'm glad I pre ordered, I wanted it before a scheduled cruise in mid November and I think I made the right decision.

 

[senttoschool]

COVID has shown bare some of the negative side effects of a highly distributed, co-dependent parts manufacturing model, across certain less than dependable countries (not attacking Vietnam mentioned in the story), where one tiny part can hold up an entire production line. Look at the pain the auto industry is experiencing as they shutter entire manufacturing lines because of a few or single critical component. Distributed manufacturing can be a smart strategy, but companies need to rethink the risks.

What is your experience with manufacturing and logistics?

 

[danny842003]

This always happen, by January everything will be normal and anyone who wants one will be able to get one. But based on my visit to the Apple store last Saturday, people are upgrading like crazy.

That’s what everyone said about the PS5. Glad I got mine on launch day.
Strange times at the moment.

 

[sean02]

That’s why you order on pre order day why do people wait so long whatever at least I got mine on launch day

 

[AnaphaseAway]

I wouldnt know 😉 *types on iPhone 13 pro max*

 

[TwoBytes]

was hoping for my October delivery to change sooner but I guess not!

 

[macar00n]

If only scientists could invent something we could all take to nearly eliminate the severe risks of COVID. Have we looked into that?

Then we could have our cameras on time and go back to cramming people into buildings like sardines which everyone loves

 

[macar00n]

I pre-ordered a 13 Pro 512GB in Sierra Blue (I would think a popular color) like 5 days late through a Verizon rep and am getting it today, didn't feel like a huge shortage. Just one individual data point.

 

[ondert]

For 13 Pro Max, there is simply no stock anywhere in Canada. Every few days adds another week to the expected delivery date. It's already set to arrive mid November.. I'd rather wait for Black Friday maybe. The rest of the models seem to be available though.