The global shortage of microchips is making it increasingly difficult for shoppers to get their hands on some of the most sought-after tech gadgets of the holiday season.
In the middle of the holiday season and the shopping and gift whirlwind, some of Apple’s hottest new products, including select iPhone 13 models, some iPads and the latest AirPods, are experiencing delays of several weeks, according to the type of model, the colors and the location of the buyer, as many world trade organizations are warning.
Microchip shortages and supply chain failures
Last week, some Google Pixel 6 Pro devices showed delays in the delivery date of the order that extend until the end of February; Last Monday, certain models were already sold out on the official website. Game consoles like Xbox and PS5 are already nearly impossible to find due to delays stemming from global shortages in supply chains and the huge gap between supply and demand.
Wait times for the hottest tech products are constantly changing, but the challenge for buyers is clear. Right now, the iPhone 13 and the most successful game consoles are seeing demand outstrip supply by roughly 20%, which is a tell-tale sign of Black Friday stress and holiday shopping. We’ve also seen the new AirPods 3 already on standby with a shortage of stock during Christmas week.
Deciding what to buy and what to do without
The chip shortage , which has also had a major impact on the auto industry, also presents a huge challenge for tech products. For customers, it might require planning purchases ahead of time, and looking closely at what products they are willing to do without. For companies, there is a risk of hurting revenue from the important holiday season and reducing sales momentum for some of their recently launched products.
Just look at what’s happening to Apple, which is known for having a sophisticated global supply chain to manufacture and distribute its products. The iPhone 13, introduced last September, is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, which powers some of its new camera features and improved battery life. But it also relies on other companies for chips that power certain functions, such as displays, power management, or USB connectivity.
In late October, Apple said chip shortages and manufacturing disruptions related to Covid-19 slashed its revenue by 6 billion euros last quarter. According to the company itself, Apple is also reassigning some of the chips originally intended for iPads to the iPhone to help meet demand. But this means that the wait times for an iPad to be purchased could be longer.
