iPhone 13 Supply Drama: Covid‑19 Hits Vietnam, But Apple Stays Cool
Despite the global pandemic not preventing the Apple iPhone 13 launch this year, a new surge of Covid‑19 has thrown a wrench into the supply chain in Vietnam. The up‑and‑coming generation of phones relies heavily on camera modules built there, and the Delta variant has forced strict factory lockdowns.
Why the Camera Modules Are Struggling
- Most of the parts needed for the iPhone 13’s sensor‑shift optical image stabilization (OIS) are assembled right in Vietnam.
- The government’s heavy‑handed measures have paused or slowed down dozens of factories.
- Apple’s insistence on top‑tier quality means suppliers must juggle speed and perfection—something that’s tough when production lines are hit by lockdowns.
What’s the Plan?
According to insiders, the situation might ease by mid‑October. One plant recently lifted its operations back to normal after months of stop‑and‑go disruptions. Still, the industry’s leaders say there’s no silver bullet; they’re just watching Vietnam’s open‑door policies day by day.
“Assemblers can still produce the new iPhones, but there’s a supply gap—camera module inventories are running low,” one executive confided. “We’re essentially keeping a close eye on the situation in Vietnam and waiting for output to ramp up.”
Look Out for China’s Power Cuts
But the plot thickens. A sudden shutdown of industrial power supplies across certain provinces in China could bite. Printed circuit boards, material supplies, and even petrochemicals stand to suffer if the restrictions persist.
With supply chains that are as tangled as a bowl of spaghetti, you can almost feel the tech world holding its breath—just in case a power outage hits right when the iPhone 13 is about to hit shelves.
— Original source: Hardware Zone
