iPhone 17 Material Shortage Sparks Concern for Cook
26 April 2025 · Uncategorized ·
Source: · https://new.qq.com/rain/a/20250424A02T5000
Result
Apple is facing significant supply chain challenges due to a shortage of Low CTE glass fiber cloth, according to recent reports by the Wall Street Journal China Edition. This scarcity is causing concern over the production and inventory of the upcoming iPhone 17 series, reportedly prompting CEO Tim Cook to actively pressure suppliers for expedited deliveries.
This specialized material is critical for high-precision applications within iPhones, including SoC chips, RF substrate packaging, camera modules, and batteries, as it ensures performance stability. Low CTE glass fiber cloth is unique in its ability to match the thermal expansion characteristics between chips and substrates while minimizing signal transmission energy loss. Honghu Technology is one of only two companies globally capable of mass-producing the ultra-thin 0.03mm material – the other being Japanese company Asahi Kasei – and has secured Apple’s MFi certification for this essential component in the iPhone 17.
The shortage poses not only a production hurdle but also threatens Apple’s competitive edge in the global high-end smartphone market, where the annual flagship iPhone is vital for maintaining market share and brand influence. The situation is further complicated by Samsung’s intensified efforts to mass-produce the 2nm Exynos 2600 chip for its Galaxy S26 series.
Apple faces dual challenges: ongoing US tariffs on manufacturing bases, despite partial exemptions, and the potential for significantly increased costs if supply chains are reconfigured. The next-generation iPhone 17 is expected to introduce updates to Apple’s product line, including a potential new model, the “iPhone 17 Air,” designed to cater to consumer preferences for thin and lightweight devices. Its release is currently scheduled for September 2024, although timely delivery and reasonable pricing remain uncertain.
In the first quarter of 2025, Apple achieved record-breaking shipments of 57.9 million units, driven by the success of its entry-level iPhone 16e in emerging markets and strategic market expansion. This resulted in a 10% year-on-year growth, securing Apple an 18.6% share of the global smartphone market (second place). Samsung leads with 60.6 million units shipped, followed by Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo. However, Apple’s performance was impacted by tariff avoidance strategies in the US market and ongoing concerns about supply chain disruptions among distributors. Furthermore, Apple's position has weakened in China, where it ranked fifth in smartphone shipments with 9.8 million units, a 9% year-on-year decrease, and a 13.7% share of the Chinese market.
Cmts: This edit focuses on clarity, flow, and a more professional tone.
Apple is facing significant supply chain challenges due to a shortage of Low CTE glass fiber cloth, according to recent reports by the Wall Street Journal China Edition. This scarcity is causing concern over the production and inventory of the upcoming iPhone 17 series, reportedly prompting CEO Tim Cook to actively pressure suppliers for expedited deliveries.
This specialized material is critical for high-precision applications within iPhones, including SoC chips, RF substrate packaging, camera modules, and batteries, as it ensures performance stability. Low CTE glass fiber cloth is unique in its ability to match the thermal expansion characteristics between chips and substrates while minimizing signal transmission energy loss. Honghu Technology is one of only two companies globally capable of mass-producing the ultra-thin 0.03mm material – the other being Japanese company Asahi Kasei – and has secured Apple’s MFi certification for this essential component in the iPhone 17.
The shortage poses not only a production hurdle but also threatens Apple’s competitive edge in the global high-end smartphone market, where the annual flagship iPhone is vital for maintaining market share and brand influence. The situation is further complicated by Samsung’s intensified efforts to mass-produce the 2nm Exynos 2600 chip for its Galaxy S26 series.
Apple faces dual challenges: ongoing US tariffs on manufacturing bases, despite partial exemptions, and the potential for significantly increased costs if supply chains are reconfigured. The next-generation iPhone 17 is expected to introduce updates to Apple’s product line, including a potential new model, the “iPhone 17 Air,” designed to cater to consumer preferences for thin and lightweight devices. Its release is currently scheduled for September 2024, although timely delivery and reasonable pricing remain uncertain.
In the first quarter of 2025, Apple achieved record-breaking shipments of 57.9 million units, driven by the success of its entry-level iPhone 16e in emerging markets and strategic market expansion. This resulted in a 10% year-on-year growth, securing Apple an 18.6% share of the global smartphone market (second place). Samsung leads with 60.6 million units shipped, followed by Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo. However, Apple’s performance was impacted by tariff avoidance strategies in the US market and ongoing concerns about supply chain disruptions among distributors. Furthermore, Apple's position has weakened in China, where it ranked fifth in smartphone shipments with 9.8 million units, a 9% year-on-year decrease, and a 13.7% share of the Chinese market.
Cmts: This edit focuses on clarity, flow, and a more professional tone.