Apple tells suppliers iPhone 13 demand is weakening

"Apple Inc., suffering from a global supply crunch, is now confronting a different problem: slowing demand."

What you need to know

A new report says Apple has warned suppliers that demand for the iPhone 13 is slowing down.
The company reportedly told component suppliers demand is weakening.
The report suggests that this is because some consumers have given up trying to get hold of one.

A new report claims Apple component suppliers have been told that demand for its best iPhone, the iPhone 13, is weakening as consumers give up on trying to get one.

According to Bloomberg:

Apple Inc., suffering from a global supply crunch, is now confronting a different problem: slowing demand. The company has told its component suppliers that demand for the iPhone 13 lineup has weakened, people familiar with the matter said, signaling that some consumers have decided against trying to get the hard-to-find item.

Apple has reportedly told some component makers that that orders may not materialize despite cutting iPhone 13 production by up to 10 million units previously because of chip shortages. The report states:

But the hope was to make up much of that shortfall next year when supply is expected to improve. The company is now informing its vendors that those orders may not materialize, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.

Apple has struggled to keep up with iPhone 13 demand since its launch, even diverting some parts and components meant for iPad production to the iPhone to try and keep up. Apple lost out on some $6 billion in Q4 2021 earnings because of supply constraints and warned that number may be even higher in the holiday quarter.