Apple Orders iPhone 18 Pro Component Cuts of at Least 15% After Soft Launch Demand
Apple has told some suppliers to cut production of components for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, according to Nikkei Asia, which cited multiple people familiar with the matter. Reuters could not verify the report, and Apple has not publicly commented. Nikkei links the cuts to higher memory chip costs and price rises, which Apple passed on after AI-driven chip demand tightened supply. The US$1,199 (€1,100) starting price of the Pro is US$100 (€92) above the iPhone 17 Pro.
Bottom line — Component orders for October were cut by at least 15%, and suppliers are unsure whether further cuts will follow in November.
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Nikkei Asia reported that October component orders were reduced by 15% to 20% from Apple's original requests, a range that other outlets repeated in part, with Reuters citing at least 15%.
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UBS analysts, according to The Mac Observer, reported shorter delivery waiting times for iPhone 18 Pro models across more than 30 markets, which they called an increasing concern given recent price rises.
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Nikkei reported that the softer demand may partly reflect Apple shifting its launch schedule, with the standard iPhone 18 expected in early 2027.
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The Mac Observer noted that lower shipment volumes do not necessarily mean lower revenue, since higher selling prices can offset them.
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Tradingpedia reported Apple shares were down 1.9% in US premarket trading after the report.
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Reuters, citing Nikkei, said tech firms buying advanced chips and memory for AI data centres have caused shortages and price increases expected to shrink the PC and smartphone markets this year.
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In India, TimesNow reported the iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900 (about €1,700) and the Pro Max at Rs 1,79,900 (about €1,850), each Rs 30,000 (about €310) above predecessors.
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TimesNow reported that the reduced demand has raised questions about the foldable iPhone Duo, whose premium price may limit buyers, and that Apple is working with suppliers to speed up its production.