Apple Inc. warned that consumers may face significant difficulty obtaining the next iPhone model this year due to tightening component supplies [1].
The shortage threatens to disrupt one of the world's most anticipated product launches. As artificial intelligence integrates deeper into mobile hardware, the competition for specialized processors and memory has intensified, leaving even the largest tech companies vulnerable to supply chain gaps.
A global shortage of random-access memory (RAM) is currently squeezing device makers [3]. This scarcity, combined with a surge in demand for AI-focused processors, has limited Apple's ability to produce handsets at a pace that meets market expectations. Peter Devlin of Reuters said Apple cannot make iPhones fast enough because AI is driving up chip demand and supply is tightening [2].
Despite these headwinds, Apple's recent financial performance remains strong. iPhone sales jumped 22% in the third quarter of 2026 [3]. During that same period, iPhone revenue reached $54.25 billion [3]. These figures suggest that consumer demand remains high even as the company struggles to secure the necessary hardware to fulfill that demand.
An Apple spokesperson said it may be really hard to get a new iPhone this year [1]. This warning comes as industry reports suggest the company may respond to increased component costs with higher retail prices. The projected starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro is $1,399 [4].
The company has not specified which regions will be most affected, but the shortage is expected to impact retail outlets and supply chains globally [3]. Apple has not provided a timeline for when the memory shortage will resolve.
“"Apple warns it may be really hard to get a new iPhone this year."”
The tension between Apple's record-breaking Q3 revenue and its warnings of a supply shortage highlights a critical bottleneck in the AI era. The shift toward AI-driven hardware requires a level of memory and processing power that current global fabrication capacities are struggling to provide. If Apple is forced to raise prices to $1,399 for the Pro model, it may be an attempt to manage demand and offset the rising costs of scarce components.
