We knew things were going bad when Apple warned earlier this month that production of the iPhone 14 Pro was impacted by Covid-related restrictions. But we didn’t know it would be this bad: if you buy an iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max on Apple.com now, it won’t arrive until after Christmas.
Apple’s online ordering system quotes December 27 for delivery. At Verizon, each model is backordered until December 16. T-Mobile estimates mid to late December for most models. At AT&T it probably won’t arrive until December 26th. And while you may be able to find some stock at Apple and carrier stores, many models are already unavailable. And Black Friday isn’t until next week.
Apple hasn’t released an update to the warning it sent out on Nov. 6 about “lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments than we previously expected,” with customers “experiencing longer wait times to receive their new products.” But delivery times have gradually increased as Black Friday approaches, and what would normally be a big seller is likely to be a non-factor this year.
It’s not clear if the shipping situation will ease, but with just six weeks until Christmas, things will need to change quickly to impact sales. Once the Black Friday rush kicks in, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will become the hardest-to-find Christmas gift this side of Tickle Me Elmo.
There are, of course, worse problems for a $2 trillion company, but as the all-important holiday quarter rolls on, it won’t be long before delivery times enter 2023.
