Like many other companies, the giant Apple is not immune to the difficulties experienced by founders (manufacturers of electronic chips) since last year. Its CEO, Tim Cook, told CNBC that the processor crisis is likely to cost his company nearly $ 6 billion in lost sales.
According to sources from Nikkei Asia, Apple has cut production of iPad tablets by almost half over the past two months in order to favor that of the new iPhone 13 and 13 Pro phones.
A decision that should not have been easy to take since the two ranges of devices are in high demand. But because the range of phones is larger than that of tablets and it is easier to reallocate components from iPad production, priority has been given to the production of iPhone 13s.
In this, Apple is helped by its models of iPad and iPhone which have a number of components in common, including central chips and peripherals. This allows Apple to move supplies between different devices in some cases.
Apple
The 9th generation iPad 2021 lineup
Stronger demand
This year, iPhone 13 shipments are expected to reach 200 million units this year, compared to 50 million for iPads.
Another factor, macroeconomic this time, demand for new phones in the West is stronger than expected as people start to travel again and restrictions linked to the pandemic relax in several countries.
So don’t be surprised if the delivery of your iPad order is delayed by a few weeks.
But for an industrial giant like Apple grappling with global supply issues and a processor shortage in its biggest quarter ending with the holiday season, the next earnings release may upset investors. and shareholders.