Kuo: iPhone 13 Models Won't Face Mass Production Delays Like iPhone 12 Lineup

[MacRumors]

While the iPhone 12 lineup launched later than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today forecasted that mass production of so-called iPhone 13 models with a new A15 chip will revert back to Apple's usual timeframe.

In a typical year, Apple begins mass production of iPhones in the early summer, but reports indicated that mass production of iPhone 12 models did not begin until September, leading Apple to postpone its usual iPhone event in September until October for the first time since 2011. iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models launched on October 23, followed by the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max on November 13.

Kuo also dismissed concerns that Apple supplier TSMC's capacity utilization rate for A14 chips is set to drop from 100% to 80% in the first quarter of 2021, noting that this is largely due to seasonality factors. The analyst said iPhone demand remains strong, particularly for iPhone 12 Pro models, which have faced some camera-related component shortages contributing to extended shipping estimates on Apple.com.

With mass production of iPhone 13 models expected to follow a more typical schedule next year, it is certainly possible that the devices could be unveiled in September again as usual, but nothing is for certain amid the global health crisis.

Article Link: Kuo: iPhone 13 Models Won't Face Mass Production Delays Like iPhone 12 Lineup

 

[Powerguru]

Thank you. Best news ever.

 

[koil]

Come on iPhone 13 Pro mini!

I won't buy it since I got the iPhone 12 mini and am extremely happy with it, but I want the form factor to get the Pro love it deserves.

 

[AGreenOlive]

Come on iPhone 13 Pro mini!

That'd be swell.

 

[johannnn]

LOL at this news. 2020 was a once-in-a-century event. The world have done an awesome job adapting, so factories won’t have to shut down even if we still have corona next summer.

Of course iPhone 13 won’t face the same delays. My grandma could’ve predict that too.

 

[Falhófnir]

I'd like to think so, even if the tail end of this pandemic stretches into 2H 2021 I'd be worried if things aren't looking significantly better by then!

 

[lawrencejuliano]

This means that iPhone upgrade program users who got the 12 are going to get some hefty “early upgrade” fees despite being stuck on the last plans for an extra couple of months.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I think the majority of people who care about this kind of news are the Apple upgrade people, who whine and moan about the possibility of having to make an extra payment for a phone they are still using.

 

[sahajesh]

This means that iPhone upgrade program users who got the 12 are going to get some hefty “early upgrade” fees despite being stuck on the last plans for an extra couple of months.

You mean make up the missing payments? If times are that hard then best not get a new phone.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Quick edit: last paragraph - should that not be “...iPhone 13 Models...”?

 

[locrumo]

TouchID? Notchless? MiniLED?

 

[McKodiak]

I have an iPhone XS. I’m approaching my threshold of of waiting for iPhone 13. It’s only 9 months away now. Might as well wait.

 

[Adoniram]

Give me 120 Hz, a higher MP count, and I'll wait however long it takes...

 

[lawrencejuliano]

You mean make up the missing payments? If times are that hard then best not get a new phone.

The iPhone upgrade program is designed (and advertised) to put users on a timeline where they can upgrade every year by just paying the tax of the new phone and continuing payments. A launch delay can cause all sorts of issues with this program, and Apple actually has given IUP users priority stock in the past to mitigate this. Obviously this year things are very different, but a change in launch timelines will have those on a yearly upgrade sequence two or three payments behind schedule by next launch, accounting for $150-200 extra when upgrading to a new phone.

You are obviously so clever and rich as to not care, but by principle this fundamentally changes the iPhone Upgrade Program for those even not in “hard times”.

 

[Voyageur]

LOL at this news. 2020 was a once-in-a-century event. The world have done an awesome job adapting, so factories won’t have to shut down even if we still have corona next summer.

Of course iPhone 13 won’t face the same delays. My grandma could’ve predict that too.

at the end of 2019, almost no one had any idea what 2020 would be like and how it would affect our life. I might surprise you, but now is the end of 2020 and we don't know what 2021 could be. Including alien invasion

 

[sw1tcher]

TouchID? Notchless? MiniLED?

I'd be happy with the return of TouchID and leaving the small notch. People will complain of it looking off balance, but this year has proven to me that TouchID > FaceID

 

[jz0309]

I guess he ha the foresight to see that there are no events in 2021 that could potentially impact schedules ... the design isn't even frozen yet ...

 

[12643]

The iPhone upgrade program is designed (and advertised) to put users on a timeline where they can upgrade every year by just paying the tax of the new phone and continuing payments. A launch delay can cause all sorts of issues with this program, and Apple actually has given IUP users priority stock in the past to mitigate this. Obviously this year things are very different, but a change in launch timelines will have those on a yearly upgrade sequence two or three payments behind schedule by next launch, accounting for $150-200 extra when upgrading to a new phone.

You are obviously so clever and rich as to not care, but by principle this fundamentally changes the iPhone Upgrade Program for those even not in “hard times”.

I would not be surprised to see Apple waive the timeline requirement or modify it next year to mitigate this issue. IUP customers are among their most valuable and loyal customers and taking care of this issue next year will create a lot of goodwill ... not taking care of it will be a PR nightmare.

 

[EllZ89]

Wasn’t there talk at some point about Touch ID returning, but embedded in the screen? This could not come at a better time, not that I would object to it being in the power button a la iPad air either...

 

[SWAON]

If the notch is still there, I don't care about iPhone 13,14 or 15 at all. And please Apple, find a good way to make your future phones lightweight as well. I'm tired of those heavy iPhones..

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I don’t want to wait till next November for an iPhone 12 Pro Max. Apple has it under control and I bet sales were hurting this year.

 

[The Barron]

Apple may need to ditch the "13" designation, especially after the most horrid year ever, 2020, and do like elevators, building floor and other public spaces and come up with something other than "13."

 

[EllZ89]

Apple may need to ditch the "13" designation, especially after the most horrid year ever, 2020, and do like elevators, building floor and other public spaces and come up with something other than "13."

If Samsung can continue with the “note” lineup after their exploding batteries, apple can release an iPhone 13.

 

[agsystems]

Thank you. Best news ever.

really? thought the vaccine would be best news ever lol

 

[lawrencejuliano]

I would not be surprised to see Apple waive the timeline requirement or modify it next year to mitigate this issue. IUP customers are among their most valuable and loyal customers and taking care of this issue next year will create a lot of goodwill ... not taking care of it will be a PR nightmare.

One would hope, and with their track record of accommodating IUP customers in the past I wouldn’t be surprised to see some sort of measure taken. But with the third party financier (Citizens One), I wonder how much they can modify it without reaching into their own coffers or discounting the next generation... both of which I highly doubt. We’ll see what they come up with.