The upcoming release of Apple’s iPhone 15 series is facing challenges, especially for the flagship iPhone 15 model. Both LG Display and BOE have not yet received Apple’s approval to produce screens for the iPhone 15 Pro Max due to manufacturing issues. This is expected to severely restrict the availability of the model at launch. The problems are attributed to the slim bezels on both the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, along with production difficulties for the exclusive periscope camera on the latter and the new 48-megapixel cameras on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.
In response, Apple is prioritizing production for the iPhone 15 Pro to balance Pro and non-Pro models. The company is working to resolve the production issues, with camera yields gradually improving. Apple has also asked Samsung to help cover the panel shortages from LG Display and BOE. However, BOE is not expected to resolve its problems until 2024. Despite the challenges, Apple still plans to announce all iPhone 15 models in September, but there are mixed opinions among insiders about the actual sale date, which might be in Q4.
Customers who are willing to wait or reserve early will receive iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models that closely resemble the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max with Dynamic Island designs, A16 chipsets, and a 48-megapixel primary camera. Those who opt for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will enjoy additional upgrades, including super slim bezels, next-gen 3nm A17 chipsets, titanium chassis, new solid-state Action button, and upgraded UWB. All iPhone 15 models will also shift from Lightning to USB-C and feature smarter, cooler stacked battery technology.
Surprisingly, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that demand for the iPhone 15 range is lower than that of the iPhone 14. This is notable because the iPhone 14 shipments were affected by the shutdown of a major Apple supplier’s factory in November 2022. If the iPhone 15 shipment forecasts are even lower than those constrained numbers, Apple may face significant challenges.
