Supply chain sources have told Nikkei Asia that demand for the iPhone 18 Pro is weak enough that Apple has cut back component production. One source said Apple has been more conservative with its component orders since early September, a timeline AppleInsider considers questionable given that the iPhone 18 Pro was announced on September 9, 2026, with pre-orders starting September 12.
Another source claimed the cuts actually came in August, with Apple either reducing orders or placing smaller ones than usual. AppleInsider notes that pre-order shipping dates have been slipping back more slowly than they did in 2025, though it also points out there are other reasons for that pattern. Apple does not disclose how many components it has ordered or how many iPhones it produced for launch.
The context matters. In 2026 Apple is releasing three "Pro" grade models, including the iPhone Duo, and has split its launches, with the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e possibly arriving in spring. A supply chain source said demand from August onward is weaker than in past years when all new models launched together, adding that the standard iPhone 18 will not need components until late in the year. The report's claims may not account for the iPhone Duo shipping more than six weeks after its announcement, which suggests production began later for that model.
AppleInsider's view is that Apple has launched fewer models and is not yet placing component orders for upcoming releases. Those reports do not show whether Apple will later scale back production, and the iPhone 18 Pro rumors remain unconfirmed.
出典: AppleInsider · 要約：HeadlinesBriefing