Apple’s just-launched iPhone 13 series has hit a supply bump in India due to a global shortage of components. Stores and online marketplaces are mostly sold out, and retailers and industry executives say supplies will remain erratic for the next few weeks.
Even the company-owned online store is showing a delivery delay of one to five weeks. The pricier iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, which have been more in demand, have a longer waiting time.
“Apple distributors have informed us that iPhone 13 series supplies will be limited and will certainly be much lower than demand for several weeks,” said the chief executive of a leading electronics retail chain.
He said that while stocks are always an issue during an iPhone launch, the situation this time is exacerbated by the uncertainty of supplies, longer waiting times, and no commitment on the availability of any model.
The Covid-19 surge in countries such as China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines has impacted component manufacturing units, including that of Apple, much beyond what the company had initially expected, as per industry executives and media reports.
In July, Apple chief financial officer Luca Maestri warned of supply constraints during the September quarter, primarily for iPhone and iPad.
Market tracker IDC India research director Navkendar Singh said there is a component shortage – from the chipset to other key parts – as well as logistical challenges that are leading to this shortage of the new models.
“The shortage is one of the reasons that Apple is yet to commit to any launch date for the new Apple Watch in India,” said Singh. “There is relatively less of a supply issue for the older iPhone 12 series. Since they are now making many of the earlier models locally, those will be mostly available.”
Industry executives said this is the first time Apple has launched its latest iPhone in India in the first phase, along with major markets such as the US, the UK, China, Australia, Canada and Japan.
