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Apple is facing another challenge, this time regarding the availability of top smartphones. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is starting to disappear from the shelves in the USA, and the reason is said to be supply constraints of chips. The situation is becoming serious enough that customers are reporting issues finding the device even after checking multiple stores in different states. This is another signal that the global semiconductor crisis continues to impact the technology market.
TSMC and the A19 Pro chip, production bottleneck
The main issue is the limited availability of chips produced by TSMC, which is operating at full capacity to fulfil orders related to AI development. This makes the production of chips like the A19 Pro, a key component of high-end iPhones, restricted. As a result, Apple has to make tough decisions regarding resource allocation, and smartphones are entering the market in smaller quantities than expected. The problem is not limited to single locations; users are reporting shortages in many regions across the USA, and the availability of specific versions (e.g., colours or memory configurations) is very limited. In some cases, customers have to check availability repeatedly or hunt for individual units that appear sporadically on sale.
Scalpers and the domino effect on further products
Shortages are quickly being exploited by those engaged in reselling equipment. Groups monitoring supplies buy up available devices and sell them later at a significant markup. This further exacerbates the problem for regular customers who want to purchase a phone at the standard price. The situation may also have wider implications. The same chip is set to be used in other Apple devices, which means that production constraints could also affect future launches, including new computers. If supply issues persist, similar scenarios may repeat with upcoming generations of iPhones.
The shortages of the iPhone 17 Pro Max show that even Apple is not immune to global chip problems. Limited production and rising demand could make acquiring the flagship model more difficult than usual.
source: wccftech
