Apple has scaled back its hardware shipment plans for the rest of 2026 because of the DRAM shortage, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo — who also played down reports that TSMC is sitting on US$1 billion of unpackaged Apple processors.
Kuo said on X that his industry checks show Apple has trimmed its shipment targets this year as memory supply tightens. He disputes a recent report that TSMC had built up US$1 billion of Apple processor work-in-progress waiting on memory it could not secure. Apple plans processor production at least three months ahead, based on the memory it expects to have available; it does not ask TSMC to build large numbers of wafers in advance.
“In other words, tight memory supply is real. But my understanding is that there has been no dramatic scenario in which TSMC first built up US$1 billion of WIP and then had to wait for memory to arrive before packaging could proceed.”
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— Ming-Chi Kuo, writing on X
Why the DRAM shortage is hitting Apple
Kuo’s pushback is about the scale of the problem, not its existence. Memory makers are prioritising AI data centre contracts, which pay better than consumer device chips, leaving less capacity for the rest of the market. Apple has already felt it: the Mac Studio, Mac mini and MacBook Air have seen supply problems, and Apple raised prices across its Mac and iPad lines in June. Some suppliers think the crunch will run for years — ADATA’s chairman has warned it could last a decade.
What the shortage means for the iPhone 18
The same constraints now reach into the iPhone line. MacRumors reports that the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the foldable iPhone Ultra could be in limited supply at launch next month, with the Pro models potentially selling out during preorders.
What it means if you’re shopping in the UAE
UAE buyers are unlikely to be spared. Apple raised Mac and iPad prices locally in June, and iPhone prices are expected to rise again in September when the iPhone 18 family lands. With shipments trimmed, the Pro models and the foldable Ultra may also be harder to get hold of at launch — delivery estimates on apple.com/ae will be the tell. Apple has not confirmed any of this, and the exact size of the cut remains unclear.
Why is Apple scaling back its 2026 hardware shipments?
Because of the DRAM shortage. Memory makers are prioritising supply for AI data centre contracts, which are more profitable, leaving less capacity for consumer device chips. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says his industry checks show Apple has trimmed its shipment plans this year.
How long could the DRAM shortage last?
Some suppliers expect a long crunch. ADATA’s chairman has warned the memory shortage could last up to a decade, and most DRAM makers are only planning modest capacity expansions. Apple has not given a timeline.
When does the iPhone 18 launch, and could it be affected?
The iPhone 18 family is expected in September 2026, alongside the foldable iPhone Ultra. MacRumors reports the Pro models could be in limited supply at launch because of memory constraints, and may sell out during preorders.
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