*The shortage could make it harder for Apple to meet holiday demand: Report

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

If a recently launched iPhone 12 happens to be on your holiday gift list, it might be a good idea to order it as soon as possible. Why?

Apple may be facing a shortage of a key chip for the device, according to reports.

Insiders who say the tech giant is having trouble getting access to enough computer chips that manage the iPhone鈥檚 power usage.

Agency report also stated that shortage could make it harder for Apple to meet the demand for the recently released device.

绿帽献妻 had reported Apple introduced the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini in October 2020, both offering 5G speed and an array of technology upgrades.

Both devices are available for pre-ordering on Friday. The phones feature the A14 Bionic chip, 鈥渢he fastest chip in a smartphone鈥�, which is an advanced dual-camera system.

The device also has a Super Retina XDR display with the Ceramic Shield front cover that the company claims will increase drop performance by four times.

iPhone 12 models also introduced MagSafe, which the company says offers high-powered wireless charging and an 鈥渁ll-new ecosystem鈥� of Apple-made and third-party accessories that attach to the new iPhones.

Workers in Apple iPhone Factory at Foxconn聽 Photo: NYTimes

Apple has been told it will get priority delivery of the power-managing chips from its suppliers, according to Bloomberg.

Unfortunately, the entire industry has faced a periodic shortage of all types of microchips because the pandemic has slowed production and snarled supply chains in recent times.

While reporting Apple鈥檚 quarterly earnings in October, Tim Cook, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Apple, had warned investors that the brand, along with the rest of the industry, was running up against supply constraints that were posing challenges to production.

Although he did not mention a type of computer chip that is in short supply, he disclosed that the issue was also providing headwinds for the production of other Apple devices.

Cook said it is hard to estimate how long the supply problems might last.

Apple secures most of its iPhone chips from Texas Instruments and Qualcomm. It says Apple designed the power-management chip in-house, sources said.

In the meantime, Apple is opening up pre-ordering for new iPhone 12 models, as the devices are expected to presell quickly.

It was learnt Apple had begun accepting orders for its new iPhone 12 models, as well as its HomePod Mini smart speaker.

The company鈥檚 iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini are set to become available in stores November 13, 2020, but Apple announced Friday that it has started accepting preorders for the devices.

Apple鈥檚 new smart speaker, which will hit shelves on November 16, is also available to order for $99.

Apple traditionally rolls out new iPhones in September, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays.

This year, the tech giant held an event in October to let consumers know what new models were on the way.

The new iPhone 12 Pro Max, which boasts the largest display ever on an iPhone at 6.7 inches, starts at $1,099. Compared to the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple says the Pro Max offers better low-light camera performance.

The iPhone 12 Mini packs in many of the same features consumers will find on the regular iPhone 12, but in a 鈥渢hinner, lighter鈥� package. Prices for this option start at $699.

绿帽献妻 reports both of the new models, however, are expected to be in short supply due to manufacturing issues including the chip shortage linked to the pandemic, and the company is expected to resort to quick pre-order sellouts.