As lousy as the global supply chain constraint’s been, there are signs that it could be easing, or at least allowing for faster iPhone delivery.
Per JP Morgan, although still elevated compared to the iPhone 12, estimated delivery dates appear to be contracting for the iPhone 13 lineup.
In a note to investors, JP Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee writes that lead times for all iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro models moderated for the second week in a row, marking only the third time this has happened for the stable of Apple handsets.
While lead times are still higher than the iPhone 12 compared to this time after that model’s launch, the variance is “significantly less” than in past weeks. In some regions, lead times for the iPhone 13 are now on par with the iPhone 12.
Although lead times are not an accurate indicator of demand, and instead shed more light on supply and demand balance, Chatterjee notes that the moderation could be indicative of a ramp-up in supply — even heading into the busy holiday shopping season.
Across all regions JP Morgan tracked, lead times for the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max moderated to 5, 5, 23, and 23 days, respectively. That’s down from 8, 10, 26, and 26 days the week prior.
In the U.S., which accounts for 35 percent of all iPhone shipments, delivery dates for the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 fell from to 7 and 8 days, down from 10 and 11 days, respectively. Apple’s two iPhone 13 Pro models now show estimated delivery dates of 21 days, down from 28 days.
Chinese consumers have begun seeing delivery estimates for the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 tracking at 7 days, albeit delivery estimates for iPhone 13 Pro units have shifted to 31 days. Lead times for the iPhone 13 have dropped from 17 days, showing some progress across the board.
While the industry is still being plagued by chip production issues and supply chain snarls, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that some supply chain problems are showing early signs of easing.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider and The Wall Street Journal