Apple reportedly cuts iPhone 18 Pro component orders as demand softens
Nikkei Asia reported that Apple told some suppliers to cut component production for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, citing soft demand and higher prices. Apple has not commented and the report is unverified.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
Centre · 1Nikkei Asia reported on Friday 9 October that Apple has told some suppliers to cut production of components for its newly launched iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. CNAN “Apple has told some of its suppliers to cut production of components for its newly launched iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Nikkei Asia reported on Friday.” Read at CNA ↗ Centre · 1According to Nikkei, which cited multiple people familiar with the matter, Apple has been more conservative on shipments since early September, and October component orders were cut by at least 15 per cent from what was originally requested. CNAN “component orders for October being slashed by at least 15 per cent compared with what was originally requested, Nikkei reported, citing multiple people familiar with the matter.” Read at CNA ↗ Right · 1IJR described the cut as about 15% to 20%. IJRRC “cut October component orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max by about 15% to 20% amid weaker-than-expected demand” Read at IJR ↗
Centre · 1The reports blame soaring memory chip costs and price increases for dampening consumer demand. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max start at US$1,199 and US$1,299, which is US$100 more than their predecessors. CNAN “The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max start at US$1,199 and US$1,299, up US$100 from the starting prices of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.” Read at CNA ↗ Right · 1IJR also listed the absence of a standard iPhone 18 at launch and shorter delivery wait times as possible factors in cooling demand. IJRRC “the absence of a standard iPhone 18 at launch, and shorter delivery wait times have been cited as possible factors in cooling demand” Read at IJR ↗ Centre · 1Nikkei also said demand has been softer from late August into October, but that this could be related to Apple changing its launch schedule for iPhone models. CNAN “Demand for devices has been softer from late August into October, but that could be related to Apple changing its launch schedule for iPhone models, Nikkei reported.” Read at CNA ↗
Mixed · 2Reuters could not immediately verify the report, and Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. IJR says Apple has not commented and that it is unclear whether the cuts will continue in later months. CNAN “Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours.” Read at CNA ↗ IJRRC “it is unclear whether they will continue in later months” Read at IJR ↗ Centre · 1As context, tech companies' demand for chip-making capacity and memory chips for AI data centres has caused shortages and price rises. Apple raised iPad and MacBook prices in June, citing memory and storage costs. CNAN “Apple raised iPad and MacBook prices in June, saying it could no longer shield customers from soaring memory and storage chip costs driven by the AI industry's data centre buildout.” Read at CNA ↗ Right · 1IJR reported that Apple shares fell in premarket trading, that higher prices may help preserve revenue despite fewer sales, and that Samsung and other manufacturers are also reportedly reducing production amid a broader smartphone slowdown. IJRRC “The production pullback weighed on Apple shares in premarket trading, though higher prices may help preserve revenue despite fewer sales.”“with Samsung and other manufacturers also reportedly reducing production” Read at IJR ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Relays Nikkei's report, carried with Reuters' caveats, as a supply-chain story driven by memory chip costs and AI-driven shortages.
- Emphasis
- Nikkei's sourcing, the memory-chip and AI context, the June Apple price rises and the possible effect of the launch schedule.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention share price moves or other manufacturers' cuts.
- Charged language
- “slashed”
- For example
-
“component orders for October being slashed by at least 15 per cent compared with what was originally requested” — CNA
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Short, hedged item on reported order cuts, focused on consumer pricing and market effects.
- Emphasis
- Share price reaction, other possible demand factors, revenue effect of higher prices and the wider smartphone slowdown.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Nikkei's anonymous sourcing or the possible launch schedule explanation.
- Charged language
- “reportedly”
- For example
-
“Apple has reportedly cut October component orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max by at least 15%” — IJR
What every side reports
- Apple reportedly told suppliers to cut component orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
- The cut is at least 15% for October.
- The phones start at $1,199 and $1,299, $100 above their predecessors.
- Apple had not commented and the report was not independently verified.
Where accounts differ
-
Size of the cut
- Centre
- CNA, relaying Reuters and Nikkei, says at least 15 per cent below original orders.
- Right
- IJR says about 15% to 20%.
Apple organisation
Apple had not commented; it earlier raised iPad and MacBook prices in June, citing memory and storage costs.
“Apple has not commented” — IJR
“Apple raised iPad and MacBook prices in June” — CNA
Nikkei Asia organisation
Nikkei Asia reported the cuts, citing multiple people familiar with the matter, and said the softer demand could relate to Apple's changed launch schedule.
“citing multiple people familiar with the matter” — CNA
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
-
CNAN ·
Apple cuts iPhone 18 Pro orders due to soft demand: Report
Neutral Full Reuters-sourced account of Nikkei's report with context on memory costs and pricing.
-
CNAN ·
Apple cuts iPhone 18 Pro orders due to soft demand, Nikkei Asia reports
Neutral Brief first-take stating only Nikkei's report of the supplier cuts.
Right1 article
-
IJRRC ·
Apple reportedly cuts iPhone 18 Pro orders 15%
Neutral Compact, hedged summary stressing price and market effects, with an unrelated item appended.
- 9 Oct 07:05 First CNAN Apple cuts iPhone 18 Pro orders due to soft demand: Report
- 9 Oct 07:05 +1m CNAN Apple cuts iPhone 18 Pro orders due to soft demand, Nikkei Asia reports
- 9 Oct 08:26 +1h 22m IJRRC Apple reportedly cuts iPhone 18 Pro orders 15%
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.