The iPhone 17 collection might be unveiled in early September, similar to most different iPhone fashions. Shortly after Apple’s launch occasion, the brand new iPhone fashions will go up for preorder forward of a launch the next week. We’ve come to take this iPhone schedule without any consideration as a result of Apple runs a good ship, each in the case of growing and manufacturing new fashions.
We’ve additionally seen some iPhone delays up to now. The iPhone X, iPhone XR, and iPhone 12 collection are examples. The primary two occurred due to manufacturing points, whereas the iPhone 12 schedule was a sufferer of the COVID pandemic.
Given all that, we wouldn’t count on any delays for Apple’s 4 iPhone 17 fashions. Trump’s tariffs may affect manufacturing prices and result in greater value tags, however that ought to not delay manufacturing.
Nonetheless, new stories point out that Apple is coping with a relatively critical element disaster which may affect the iPhone 17 manufacturing schedule. A vital element within the iPhone’s logic board is in brief provide, and Apple is supposedly scrambling to make sure it has sufficient provide.
Paradoxically, the AI growth we’ve been witnessing for a couple of years might be the offender. AI chips which might be in such excessive demand proper now are mentioned to be consuming this explicit element that Apple wants to make sure it might construct sufficient iPhone logic boards to satisfy demand.
Most iPhone consumers do not know what “low‑CTE fiberglass sheets” are or why they’re wanted in fashionable merchandise just like the iPhone or next-gen GPUs that permit the AI to suppose. However trade observer Jukanlosreve mentioned on X that “a scarcity of low‑CTE fiberglass sheets has disrupted stock buildup for the iPhone 17 collection. Apple is at the moment pushing its provide chain to ship and is doing every part doable to safe the parts.”
A report from Chinese language-language Wall Avenue Perception (by way of PhoneArena) gives extra particulars on the matter. Apparently, Apple’s Tim Prepare dinner is “extraordinarily anxious” about provide points with low‑CTE fiberglass sheets.
These ultra-thin glass sheets sit between the assorted layers of the logic board, defending them towards heat-related injury. The varied parts on the logic board, just like the next-gen A19 chip that can energy the iPhone 17 collection, warmth up and funky down throughout common use. Supplies have a tendency to elongate and shrink when coping with warmth, and every does it otherwise.
With out this ultra-thin, low-CTE fiberglass sheet between the assorted layers of a logic board, the frequent heat-related dimension fluctuations would ultimately injury inside parts, rendering the telephone ineffective.
The identical materials is required to make GPUs for AI infrastructure. These chips expertise the identical thermal points, so their layers want the identical sort of safety. Subsequently, AI GPU makers may also eat the identical parts that Apple and different smartphone distributors want.
Now, Apple routinely manufactures and sells effectively over 200 million iPhone items per 12 months. When a brand new collection just like the iPhone 17 household is launched, you’ll usually hear stories saying that Apple will manufacture as much as 100 million items for the September to December interval.
The latest iPhone fashions routinely promote out, and that occurs even in years when manufacturing isn’t impacted by any type of points. Apple normally catches up with demand, however which means not all consumers who desire a new iPhone in late September will get one.
Lastly, Apple begins iPhone preorders on nearly the identical date in dozens of markets world wide. That’s an extremely logistical endeavor. The iPhones don’t simply need to be manufactured and prepared; they need to be shipped to varied nations in time for that late September launch date.
Apple will quickly begin manufacturing of iPhone 17 to have sufficient items readily available to fulfill a few of the early demand by September. If the low‑CTE fiberglass sheets proceed to be in brief provide, we would see extended transport delays for sure fashions.
Do not forget that the 2025 iPhone era might be particular. Apple will introduce an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air this 12 months, and the iPhone 17 Professional Max may need a couple of further options. The latter will certainly be a best-seller, however the iPhone 17 Air might additionally make an impression on consumers. It’s the iPhone I’m trying to purchase.
Elevated demand for some iPhone 17 fashions mixed with a strained provide chain may result in sudden transport delays for sure variations.
That mentioned, I don’t count on Apple to truly delay the launch of any of the 4 iPhone 17 fashions. If something, Apple may profit from some fashions being bought out even sooner than anticipated as a result of manufacturing points after which catching up with demand by Christmas.
In fact, all of that is hypothesis primarily based on an unconfirmed report. Apple by no means confirms manufacturing and provide points which may affect its merchandise, whether or not the iPhone or different gadgets.
