Apple is gearing up for the launch of its flagship products – the iPhone 15, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max – which is expected to be released in mid-September.
However, new leaks suggest that things are not going as planned for the Cupertino-headquartered company.
Apple Facing Supply Chain Issues Which May Delay iPhone 15 Sales
According to the Korean tech media platform, TheElec, LG Display, and BOE – manufacturers of iPhone screens – are yet to gain approval from Apple to start manufacturing screens for the iPhone 15 Pro variants. While Sony and LG Innotek are struggling to produce the latest 48-megapixel camera with a periscope lens for the devices.
Rumors suggest that the issue is related to the new OLED panels for both iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which have a record-breaking screen-to-frame ratio. Both LG Display and BOE are finding it hard to add “Dynamic Island” cutouts to the displays.
Now Apple has stepped in to resolve the panel shortage situation by bringing in Samsung Display – the display manufacturing unit of the South Korean tech giant. Samsung Display has received Apple’s approval to supply OLED panels for all four variants of the iPhone 15 series.
Sources say that LG Display did receive the green light from Cupertino but under the condition that they only produce panels for iPhone 15, 15 Plus, and 15 Pro.
Meanwhile, BOE, which was initially supposed to manufacture panels for iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, has now lost its contract to Samsung Display.
In a similar situation last year, LG Display faced issues manufacturing OLED panels with the “Dynamic Island” for iPhone 14 Pro variants, which led to Samsung stepping in and saving the day for Apple. As a by-product, Samsung was able to improve its overall display sales volume.
From what we understand, Apple is bringing “Dynamic Island” and OLED displays to all models in the iPhone 15 lineup.
Sony And LG Innotek Facing Difficulties In Manufacturing New Camera Modules
Another problem faced by Apple is with the production and supply of the new periscope camera, exclusive for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the upgraded 48MP main camera.
Sony supplies the image sensors while LG Innotek manufactures the camera module for iPhones. Both firms are finding it difficult to manage orders due to lower-than-expected yields for the parts.
Rumors suggest that Apple may revert to maintaining a 50/50 production balance between Pro and non-Pro models. Last year, iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max outsold the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus variants. It is also being reported that iPhone 15 Pros could cost significantly higher due to supply chain issues.
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iPhone 15 Set To Become The Biggest Evolution In The Smartphone’s History
With iPhone 15, Apple is bringing revolutionary new features to the world’s most sought out smartphone. Display Supply Chain Consultants, a group headed by industry insider Ross Young, has revealed more information about the upcoming model.
In its latest company newsletter, Apple stated that iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will have larger 6.12 and 6.69-inch screens, thinner bezels, and Dynamic Island. Both handsets will be powered by the A16 Bionic chipset that’s found in the iPhone 14 Pro series.
Meanwhile, top-of-the-line iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models are rumored to have the 3 nanometer A17 chipset, with WiFi 6E and upgraded RAM. The Pro variants will have titanium chassis, “ultra-thin bezels”, and stacked battery technology to improve efficiency and battery performance.
Additionally, iPhone 15 will have a 48MP primary sensor, with the Pro Max variant getting a periscope lens. Apple will also introduce USB Type-C to the iPhone for the very first time, moving away from the hallmark Lightning adapter that has been a mainstay on the device since iPhone 5, which came out 11 years ago.
There is one stand-out feature that Apple had been keeping as a surprise for launch day, but unfortunately got leaked by the company itself. In its latest iOS 17 beta release, sleuths discovered a code related to the rumored ‘Action Button’ that is coming to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
MacRumors, an Apple-oriented blog, spotted the code in iOS 17 Beta 4 that listed nine different functions for the button: Accessibility, Shortcuts, Silent Mode, Camera, Flashlight, Focus, Magnifier, Translate, and Voice Memos.
The Action Button, which comes in as a replacement for the iconic mute switch has divided opinions among Apple fans, with many users frustrated with the move. Previous leaks had claimed that the Action Button might support two or three features at launch and then expand compatibility in future iOS17 updates.
The standout feature will be accessible via a combination of presses, swipes, or gestures, and may be integrated with certain third-party apps at launch.
Despite the production hiccups, Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 15 series in September. Insiders also report that the devices might not go on sale until Q4 2023.
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