14 DAY TRIAL // Just like the rest of the world, Apple too is struggling to deal with the global chip shortage, and what’s even more concerning is that the supply constraint is likely to affect the new-generation iPhone coming this fall.
Apple admitted in a recent conference call following its earnings release that it expects the chip shortage to have an impact on its device lineup, with iPhone and iPad to be primarily impacted.
Luca Maestri, Apple's senior vice president and chief financial officer, said the constraints are likely to be bigger than for the June quarter.
“Certain services were significantly impacted by the COVID lockdowns a year ago. And third was we expect supply constraints during the September quarter to be greater than what we experienced during the June quarter. The constraints will primarily impact iPhone and iPad,” he said.
“We expect gross margin to be between forty one point five 41.5 and five 42.5 percent, we expect OpEx to be between 11.3 and 11.5 billion dollars. We expect ONIE to be around zero, excluding any potential impact from the mark to market of minority investments and our tax rate to be around 16 percent.”
Apple struggling to prevent delays
Apple is working around the clock to prevent any possible delays this year, as the company wants the new iPhone 12 generation to launch in September according to the typical calendar.
People familiar with the matter said the production of the iPhone 13 started earlier specifically because Apple wants all new models to hit the shelves at the same time.
Last year, for example, the new iPhone generation was announced in October, with sales of the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 12 Pro Max starting in November due to production challenges that impacted Apple’s suppliers.
Apple will launch four new iPhones this year, all successors to the models currently on the market.