Memory Shortage Crisis Threatens Availability of iPhone 18 Pro at Launch

A report based on the specialized Culpium newsletter and analysis by analyst Tim Culpan indicates that a shortage of dynamic memory (DRAM) supplies may limit the availability of iPhone 18 Pro at launch. The A20 Pro processor uses 2-nanometer technology from TSMC, and chips are piling up awaiting memory, with TSMC holding about $1 billion worth of Apple processors. Apple is confident in meeting initial demand but is concerned about long wait times, and demand may increase as no new base model is launched this fall.

A report citing the Culpium newsletter, a specialized tech news bulletin prepared by semiconductor analyst Tim Culpan, said that a shortage of DRAM supplies could limit the availability of the iPhone 18 Pro at its expected launch. This year's iPhone will use Apple's A20 Pro processor, the first chip manufactured using TSMC's 2-nanometer process, which began shipping in high volumes earlier this year. The processor will be integrated with DRAM using TSMC's new WMCM process. Culpan said that A20 Pro production is going well, but chips are piling up awaiting DRAM before packaging, and TSMC is holding nearly $1 billion worth of Apple processors awaiting memory delivery. As a result, Apple may not be able to reach its target inventory levels. Culpan said Apple and its assembly partners are confident in meeting initial demand but are concerned about growing wait times for online orders and retail store stockouts. The shortage could be exacerbated because Apple will not launch its new base model iPhone 18 this fall, but rather in early 2027 alongside the iPhone Air 2, and the only other new model this fall is the expensive foldable iPhone Ultra, which could boost demand for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.