iPhone 15 Pro Max's exclusive features cause manufacturing headaches

The release of Apple‘s iPhone 15 series is just around the corner, but recent developments have cast a shadow over the September launch date. According to a new report from The Elec, Apple’s flagship iPhone 15 Pro Max has encountered significant hurdles in its production, leading to potential availability issues upon release.

The primary cause of the manufacturing problems is attributed to the groundbreaking slim bezels featured in both the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. These cutting-edge designs have proven challenging for suppliers LG Display and BOE to incorporate into their displays. Additionally, the exclusive new periscope camera on the iPhone 15 Pro Max has further compounded the situation, making it even more difficult for the manufacturers to meet the demands.

Furthermore, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus boasts new 48-megapixel cameras, but incorporating them into the devices has presented its own set of production issues. Both LG Display and BOE are struggling with the implementation of Dynamic Island cutouts on the displays, while Sony and LG Innotek have faced yield problems while producing the 48MP and periscope cameras, respectively.

As a response to these challenges, Apple has reportedly shifted its focus to prioritize the production of the iPhone 15 Pro in an attempt to balance the availability of Pro and non-Pro models. This strategic move comes after last year’s iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models significantly outsold their non-Pro counterparts during the initial launch. However, it remains uncertain if this trend will continue, given the potential impact of higher prices for the iPhone 15 Pro models.

Apple’s manufacturing partners are working diligently to resolve these production issues. The Elec suggests that camera yields are gradually improving, and the tech giant has approached Samsung to help cover the panel shortages resulting from LG Display and BOE’s struggles. Nevertheless, BOE is not expected to resolve its problems until 2024, which could affect the availability of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Despite these challenges, Apple is still expected to announce all iPhone 15 models in September. However, insiders are divided over whether the devices will be available for sale immediately or if the release will be delayed until the fourth quarter.

For early adopters and those willing to wait, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models will closely resemble the design of the previous iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. They will feature Dynamic Island designs, powerful A16 chipsets, and an upgraded 48-megapixel primary camera.

On the other hand, customers opting for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will enjoy additional upgrades. These models will showcase the sleek super slim bezels, cutting-edge next-gen 3nm A17 chipsets, durable titanium chassis, a new solid-state Action button, and an upgraded UWB (Ultra-Wideband) technology. Furthermore, all iPhone 15 models will transition from the Lightning port to USB-C and feature smarter, cooler stacked battery technology.