Apple Reportedly Cuts iPhone 15 Build Plan Due to Supply and Demand Issues

Apple has purportedly lowered its 2H23 build plan for iPhone 15 due to both supply and demand issues, according to a new report from Haitong Intl Tech Research analyst Jeff Pu.

In a research today, Haitong cuts estimates for 2H23 iPhone 15 production from 83 million units to 77 million units. Pu cites Sony's CMOS image sensor and several other issues affecting supply.

Those include...


1) low yields of Sony's 3-stacked CIS affecting iPhone 15/15+
2) difficult production of the titanium frame due to the difference of linear expansion coefficient between titanium and aluminum (mitigated by aggressive ramp-up for Foxconn)
3) low yields from one supplier of LTPO displays (Samsung is expected to cover the shortfall)

Haitong also believes that Apple has trimmed the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max build plan due to a more cautious view of demand. Besides the economy, a rumored price hike for the Pro and Pro Max could be affecting demand projections.

Overall, the firm says it remains cautious on most of Apple's supply chain, but is eyeing possible beneficiaries of iPhone 16 spec changes and the company's AI efforts. For example, USI on WiFi 7 combo chip SiP, Cowell on higher periscope adoption, and FII on Apple's cloud-based AI build-up.

Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone 15 models at a September 12th special event. Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for further updates.