Apple struggling to make enough iPhones, iPads for Christmas in Asia

Credit: Andrew O'Hara, AppleInsider

Customers across key Asia markets can no longer guarantee getting iPads or the iPhone 13 in time for the holidays, as shortages push delivery dates into January.

Apple's iPhone 13 range has previously been hit by supplier chip shortages, to the extent that Tim Cook says it cost the company $6 billion in lost sales for Q4 2021. Now a new report says that Apple will not be able to deliver the iPhone 13 Pro, or some iPad models, to customers across Asia.

According to Nikkei Asia, it is already too late for customers in the Philippines to order the iPhone 13 Pro for delivery before Christmas. It's getting close for buyers in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia, too, as reportedly the average waiting time there is around four weeks.

It's now an estimated eight-week wait for the iPad Space Grey model with 256GB and Wi-Fi, meaning delivery is expected on January 14, 2022.

Nikkei Asia says that iPad delays are due to Apple prioritizing the iPhone, with an estimated 50% fewer iPads being made in September and October than planned.

It's not yet clear what this implies for the rest of the world as it pertains to iPhone and iPad supply. AppleInsider has been seeing more profound than normal supply issues across the electronics markets, and recommends customers shop early across all categories for the holiday season.