iPhone shoppers have trouble finding Apple’s latest devices on Black Friday as Foxconn’s Covid troubles hit supplies
- Many Apple fans cannot find the latest iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, with shortages expected to continue through the holidays
- The tech giant warned this month of lower shipments amid Covid-related disruptions at the world’s largest iPhone plant in China
Many shoppers looking for Apple’s latest high-end phones returned empty-handed from its stores this Black Friday as the technology company struggles with production snafus in China.
Among them were Sally Gannon and her son Michael, who were visiting an Apple store in Bethesda, where they found no iPhone Pros in stock.
Similarly, Abisha Luitel wanted to get an iPhone 14 Pro for her 21-year old cousin. But the Apple store she visited was out. She purchased an older version, the 12, instead.
The “iPhone shortages are accelerating and were front and centre this morning on Black Friday across many retailers, Apple Stores, and online channels,” Wedbush analyst Dan Ives wrote in a note.
“We believe many Apple Stores now have iPhone 14 Pro shortages based on model or colour or storage of up to 25-30 per cent below normal heading into a typical December, which is not a good sign heading into holiday season for Cupertino,” he said referring to Apple’s headquarters.
Shares of Apple ended down 2 per cent after a source at its supplier Foxconn told Reuters on Friday that iPhone production could be further hit due to worker unrest at the plant.