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Apple could siphon iPad chips to service sizeable iPhone 13 demand
- Apple is reportedly cutting iPad production to better support the iPhone 13 series.
- The move is to ensure the continued availability of components going into the high-demand holiday season.
- However, it might make finding an iPad heading into the end of the year a little trickier.
The global chipset shortage has massively affected tech firms this year, with several forced to cut production targets or delay launches. For the most part, it seemed that Apple would be one of the few firms to ride the storm successfully. However, a new report now suggests that the company is sacrificing its iPad production quotas to meet iPhone 13 series demand.
According to a report by Nikkei Asia citing multiple sources, Apple cut its iPad production quotas by 50% in the past two months to ensure there are enough components available for the iPhone 13 series. Per the report, the company’s reason for the decision chiefly hinges on smartphone demand over the slates.
Is prioritizing iPhone 13 production a good move?
Looking at Apple’s performance in global markets, yes. The company retook second place in the worldwide shipment charts from Xiaomi and was among the only big firms to experience growth. Despite the chipset famine, Apple’s iPhone shipments grew by 14% year-over-year in Q3 2021, according to a Canalys report, buoyed by the successful iPhone 13 debut.
However, the iPad has enjoyed a mini-revival of its own. A recent IDC report suggests that Apple and Lenovo were the only big tablet makers to see year-over-year shipment growth in Q3 2021. The former shipped 700,000 more iPads in this quarter compared to Q3 2020.
The move to favor iPhones doesn’t come without sacrifice for Apple or its customer base, though. Consumers may now struggle to find iPads in stock or could face extended lead times. In the worst case, the lack of availability could also drive up the price of Apple’s slates. That said, if you were planning to snag an iPhone 13 for the holidays, you might now have a much better chance.