Nikkei sources say Apple has asked some suppliers to trim component output for
the newly released iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max after rising storage-chip
costs forced price increases that have damped consumer demand. Two people said
October parts orders were reduced at least 15% versus original targets; one
executive put the October cut at 15–20% for the two high-end models. The order
reduction may also reflect Apple’s staggered launch plan: the company
prioritized three high-end models this year while the standard iPhone 18 and a
new iPhone Air are slated for a spring launch, with components only needed
toward year-end for early-2027 shipments. A supply-chain manager said H2 demand
has been weaker since August versus prior years.
