There are going to be many sad Apple fans this Christmas. An iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max ordered today won’t arrive until after Christmas – six weeks from now.
Problems at a giant iPhone assembly plant in China mean the supply of the two iPhone 14 Pro models is falling far behind demand.
No iPhone 14 Pro for Christmas this year
The iPhone Pro models have always offered more features than the cheaper options, but Apple made the differences more stark with the iPhone 14 series. The Pro and Pro Max have a faster processor, better cameras and the Dynamic Island.
On the other hand, the base model iPhone 14 is almost unchanged from its predecessor. The result is heavier demand for the two Pro models.
And its demand Apple can’t keep up with. An order placed Wednesday from the U.S. online Apple Store for any iPhone 14 Pro configuration won’t be delivered until December 27. The same is true for the iPhone Pro Max. No matter the configuration, an order placed now won’t arrive before Christmas.
But there are plenty of iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models in stock.
Assembly problems in China
Apple sent out a warning in early November that government-mandated COVID-19 lockdowns in China were hurting iPhone production. The world’s largest iPhone factory in China — owned by Foxconn — went into total lockdown due to COVID outbreaks in the area.
Production continues but employees are required to stay in on-site dormitories and never leave the plant. They’re have been protests by the employees about their working conditions.