William Gallagher
New research claims that chip shortages mean smartphone manufactures are getting only 70% to 80% of their component orders — but Apple's iPhone is unaffected.
Although other research says that Apple is now starting to feel the effects of the chip shortage across all its devices, it is faring better with the iPhone.
Counterpoint Research reports that it is lowering its global smartphone shipment forecast to an estimated 6% annual growth to 1.41 billion devices. Originally, the company predicted 9% growth, for a total of 1.45 billion phones.
"The smartphone industry was set for a strong rebound this year after COVID-19 had hit the market hard in 2020," says the research company in a statement. "Smartphone vendors placed large component orders from the end of last year, and consumer demand coming from delayed replacement purchases buoyed the market in the first quarter."
Subsequently, however, "some smartphone OEMS and vendors" reported receiving only 80% of their orders for key components during the second quarter of 2021.
"[The] situation seems to be getting worse as we move through Q3 2021," continues the company. "Some smartphone makers are now saying they are only receiving 70% of their requests, creating multiple problems."
Counterpoint says that 90% of the smartphone industry has been hit by these issues.
"The semiconductor shortage seems to affect all brands in the ecosystems," said Tom Kang, Research Director at Counterpoint Research. "Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi have all been affected and we are lowering our forecasts. But Apple seems to be the most resilient and least affected by the AP shortage situation."
The research does not indicate how Apple could be escaping the shortage. However, previous reports into the issue have suggested that with its buying power, Apple may have stockpiled.
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
15 Comments
Is stockpiling components anti-competitive? Is Apple a component monopolist? Is Apple a sick hoarder that needs therapy? Can the usual critics explain please?
Most of Apple's chips are custom to Apple. They can't be used elsewhere. It's not like there's a warehouse somewhere with chips that could be used in anything else. Stockpiling is what you do with with crude oil or corn. It's more a matter of securing manufacturing time and raw materials with foundries and using it to make what they need.
Although I happen to agree with this analysis, these analysts are like broken clocks, right twice a day regardless. What insight does this firm that the others don’t?
Two weeks ago I was in our local Costco and was told the iPhone SE would not be available for 2-3 months because of supply problems.