Apple has been preparing to begin mass production of the iPhone 14 series in the coming weeks, ahead of the new smartphone’s official announcement this fall. However, as the company struggles with supplies, Apple is increasing its list of suppliers for the future iPhone 14 models.
(4/8)
Company Update: SG Micro (300661)1. SG Micro had passed the quality certification of the higher-end iPhone 14 and will likely ship the PMICs (battery and level shifter) for the iPhone 14 in 2H22.
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) July 22, 2022
Recently, SG Micro’s components have passed the quality certification for the high-end iPhone 14 models, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Twitter. As a result, the Chinese integrated circuit manufacturer has been added to Apple’s list of suppliers for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
The integrated circuitry from SG Micro that controls the battery and level shifter will be used by Apple in the iPhones this year. According to Kuo, this will be the first time that SG Micro supplies parts for Apple’s high-end devices, which will boost sales for the Chinese firm and enable the iPhone 14 to ship faster.
The transaction with SG Micro, according to the analyst, suggests that the technical prowess of its chips “have reached the tier-1 level,” which is necessary for parts used in more expensive, high-end electronic gadgets. Apple also collaborated with fresh vendors earlier this year to purchase camera parts for the iPhone 14 Pro.
Back in May, the COVID-19 lockdowns in China caused a three-week delay in the manufacture of the iPhone 14. Significantly, it was the new iPhone 14 Max (a new 6.7-inch mid-range model that is anticipated to replace the iPhone small) has been most negatively impacted by the delays.
More recently, Kuo added that the mass production of the iPhone 14 would cause Apple to have supply problems. But according to the expert, these problems will only have a “limited impact” on the shipments of the new phones. This is so that Apple has enough time to build a significant number of units before the official debut of the new goods. Apple orders millions of components months in advance.
However, due to the ongoing chip scarcity, the iPhone 14’s initial supply may not be that large. More recently, shortly after the new laptop hits shelves last week, shipping expectations for the new M2 MacBook Air were revised downward to late August. There have been supply-chain problems with other devices as well, like the iPad.
Four new iPhone 14 versions are anticipated from Apple in September, while significant improvements like a new screen design should only apply to the new Pro models.
RELATED
