The strategy of the iPhone 14 looks like it will be similar to the iPhone 13, shown here, with a model for each user. Photo: Caitlin McGarry / Gizmodo
We’ve all been thinking: with all these new devices and gadgets on the horizon, will the supply chain be able to keep up with demand? According to some analysts, the forecast can be sad. The next iPhone may not even escape the shortage of materials, with production of the speculated but unconfirmed model of iPhone 14 Max is now rumored to be lagging behind.
Apple’s next smartphone, the iPhone 14, is supposed to come in four models, just like the iPhone 13. But apparently there will be two large variants instead of one, that is, the iPhone 14 Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max, which will make component safety more difficult than in years past. Ross Young, a prominent screen supply analyst, reported that production was delayed due to this need.
Young’s original tweet is behind a pay wall, but I paid the toll so you don’t have to (although you should if you want to support Young’s work!). Young reports that panel shipments of the iPhone 14 Max are “still far behind until August,” although Pro models are not affected. These screens look right, with Young reporting that supply volumes are more than three times higher than normal Max phones.
It’s the normal iPhone 14 Max that slows things down, as it uses a different screen than its Pro counterpart. Pro models use Apple’s ProMotion, the company’s adaptive refresh rate technology. This means that the iPhone 14 Pro Max is expected to have an adaptive refresh rate of 120 Hz, while the normal Max will remain at 60 Hz.
The iPhone 14 Max is not officially delayed. But it has been interesting to follow Apple during this manufacturing journey, as it seems to have had to make some changes to meet its deadline. In May, we learned that Apple was facing supply chain shortages when it opted for a more expensive solution to its front-facing camera than previous smartphones.
Apple’s reasoning for making two large-format models is supposed to help its numbers overseas in places like China, where big phones reign supreme.
iOS 16 is also gaining popularity
While iOS 16 comes with more iPhones than just the 14 series, the current public beta version gives us a more detailed view of what’s to come when the software goes live.
We already know that iOS 16 has a new lock screen look, the ability to edit and delete messages sent to iMessage, and a revised smart home hub in the Apple Home app. We know that Apple is working on more privacy and security features, such as virtual cards, that will make online shopping safer overall. It was also recently discovered that Apple would make private hidden and recently deleted albums more private in the Photos app by blocking them using Face ID, Touch ID, or a password.
There are many more that can come out. There are still a few months before we expect Apple to take the stage with the iPhone 14. The company has not yet officially announced any event, but now is the time to wait. Until then, we ask that you stop buying a new iPhone if you want to spend your money on the latest and greatest.