Apple's Flagship iPhone 15 Pro Max Could Face Release Delays — Sony Supply Chain Issues Surface

Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) upcoming iPhone 15 Pro Max launch could face significant delays, potentially pushing the release date to October due to a reported supply chain issue involving Sony Group Corp. (NYSE:SONY). 

What Happened: The primary culprit behind this potential delay is the image sensor required for the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s periscope camera — exclusive to the upcoming lineup’s flagship model, making it indispensable for the smartphone’s advanced camera capabilities.

Sony, a key supplier for Apple, is struggling to provide a sufficient number of these specialized sensors in time for the anticipated September launch, reported 9To5Mac, citing an unnamed major equity analyst. 

See Also: iPhone 15 Could Help Apple Overtake Samsung To Become World’s Top Smartphone Maker For The First Time

This is not the first time concerns about potential delays in Apple’s product release schedule have been raised. Previous reports have also hinted at possible delays for various models in the iPhone 15 lineup. However, this is the first time Sony’s role in the supply chain crunch has been explicitly cited.

Earlier, a report from Bank of America indicated a potential delay of the iPhone 15 until October, although it didn’t specify the model. Analyst Jeff Pu, a tech analyst at Hong Kong-based investment firm Haitong International Securities, identified the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus as likely candidates for the delayed release.

Why It’s Important: The iPhone 15 series, poised to deliver several upgrades such as slimmer bezels, camera improvements, the introduction of an Action Button, and various design and hardware upgrades, is reportedly scheduled for a grand unveiling on Sept. 12.

Moreover, rumors suggest a potential price increase of $100 for the U.S. iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max variants. According to Mark Gurman, this price hike may extend to all four models, although to varying extents, outside of the U.S. 

Given the expected upgrades in design and hardware for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, this $100 adjustment could be seen as justifiable.

Photo by Kaspars Grinvalds on Shutterstock

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