● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsMedium impact2 negative
iPhone 18 Pro Production Faces Delays Due to DRAM Shortage, Impacting Availability
Key points
- iPhone 18 Pro production is delayed by a DRAM shortage.
- A20 Pro processors are awaiting DRAM for packaging.
- TSMC holds $1 billion in Apple processors due to delays.
- Limited availability and longer wait times are anticipated.
- Apple sources DRAM from Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung.
Production Delays for iPhone 18 Pro
The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro is reportedly facing production challenges that could result in limited availability at launch. A DRAM shortage is delaying the packaging of Apple's A20 Pro processors, which are central to the new device.
According to a report from Culpium, TSMC currently holds approximately $1 billion worth of Apple processors that are awaiting DRAM delivery before they can be packaged and moved to the next production stage.
Impact on Availability and Supply Chain
This memory shortage means Apple may not be able to achieve its desired inventory levels for the iPhone 18 Pro. While Apple and its assemblers express confidence in meeting initial demand, concerns exist regarding online order wait times and retail inventory depletion.
The situation highlights current supply chain limitations, which extend beyond just DRAM chips to include packaging capacity. Apple's integrated System-on-Chips (SoCs) make it particularly susceptible to these constraints.
Processor and Manufacturing Details
The A20 Pro processor, destined for the iPhone 18 Pro, is the first chip to be manufactured on TSMC’s N2 node. Volume production for the N2 node began earlier this year, and the production of the A20 Pro at this node is reportedly progressing well with good volume and yields.
The A20 Pro chips are packaged alongside DRAM using TSMC’s new Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) process. Apple primarily sources its DRAM from Micron, with additional engagements from SK Hynix and Samsung.
Memory Market Context
The broader memory market has seen major players like Micron selling capacity for DRAM and HBM through 2027. A flurry of long-term agreements (LTAs) have been established over recent months, securing supply for certain companies for several years.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Apple reportedly has $1 billion worth of iPhone 18 Pro processor wafers awaiting packaging due to ongoing DRAM and packaging capacity shortages. This situation could pressure Apple's ability to meet demand for the upcoming iPhone 18 lineup, despite initial confidence from the company and its assemblers.
The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro may have limited availability at launch due to a DRAM shortage impacting production, according to a report from Culpium. This shortage is delaying the packaging of Apple's A20 Pro processors, potentially leading to longer wait times for consumers and reduced retail inventory.