Apple can't say when iPhone Duo supply will catch up
Apple's COO said it is hard to predict when iPhone Duo supply will meet demand, as memory chip costs rise because of AI demand.
The facts
- Apple COO Sabih Khan said on the fiscal fourth-quarter earnings call that the iPhone Duo is constrained and it is "really hard to predict" when supply and demand will balance, according to TechCrunch.
- Customers who did not order immediately now face ship times stretching into next year, and Verizon has offered gift cards to apologise for delays.
- Apple said rising memory chip costs, driven by AI industry demand, are putting pressure on hardware makers, and Khan said Apple raised prices on some products "reluctantly".
- Apple said it is deepening its partnership with titanium producer Perryman to supply materials for the foldable device.
Case notes · Danny's take
Why it matters
Even Apple, known for a tight supply chain, cannot say when it will catch up. That tells you the AI boom is not only a software story. It pulls on physical parts like memory chips, and everyone who builds hardware pays for it. For buyers, including those in Lagos who already pay a premium for imported phones, higher component costs usually mean higher prices later.
For traders
Don't trade the headline. Watch whether other hardware makers also flag memory costs and price rises in their next earnings calls. That is the evidence that the squeeze is broad, not just Apple's problem.
For builders
If you build hardware or devices, expect memory costs and lead times to hurt your margins and plans. If you build software, assume users on older or pricier devices will hold on to them for longer.
Not financial advice. Do your own investigation.
This story was summarised with AI from TechCrunch's reporting and checked against our editorial policy. Danny's take reflects his views. Disclaimer.
Danny Walter
Founder of Moon Republic, Volt Terminal and Moon Republic Academy. Author of The Market Is a Crime Scene and After the Applause.