$1 billion of iPhone 18 Pro chips 'on the shelves awaiting packaging' due to DRAM shortages

Apple faces supply constraints due to DRAM shortages, with approximately $1 billion worth of iPhone 18 Pro chips already on shelves awaiting packaging. Analyst Tim Culpan reports that Apple is scrambl... Read original →

The backlog of iPhone 18 Pro chips underscores the deep fragility within the global semiconductor supply chain. Apple’s reliance on TSMC’s N2 process and WMCM packaging is hindered by DRAM shortages, revealing the vulnerability of upstream memory supply. With Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix securing capacity through 2027, Apple is forced to explore alternatives like CXMT amid U.S. scrutiny over Chinese chip access. This reflects a broader trend of supply chain reshoring and risk mitigation in response to geopolitical tensions. Competitors may leverage this disruption to strengthen their own supply resilience. Over the next 12 to 24 months, memory pricing and capacity allocation will shape the premium smartphone market, signaling a fundamental shift in global semiconductor dynamics.