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Due to the impact on Samsung's production of OLED displays as a result of a global chip shortage, there may be disruptions in iPhone production, according to Nikkei Asia.
Last month, Samsung was forced to close its chip manufacturing plant in Texas due to major winter storms. The plant is responsible for 5% of the world's supply of chips for smartphones and PCs. The closure has caused a widespread global shortage. The plant makes chips for Samsung OLED displays, which Apple uses for the iPhone.
Samsung's Texas plant produces telecommunications chips for US semiconductor giant Qualcomm. The plant also produces chips for organic light-emitting diode panels and for image sensors. The supply shortages hitting Qualcomm will affect a large number of smartphone manufacturers that rely on the company for key components. Apple, which sources OLED panels from Samsung, could also expect disruptions in iPhone production.
iPhone production to start on time this year
The report does not go into the specifics, including which iPhone models would be affected or how long the mentioned disruptions would last. Last year, Apple suppliers were forced to close factories in China and elsewhere in the world due to the global health crisis. The closures led to a delayed launch of the iPhone 12 in October, which is usually September. However, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that the 2021 iPhone should be expected in September. According to his information, Apple suppliers are ready to start mass production within the usual summer timeframe. Reports last year suggested that mass production for the iPhone 12 series will not start until September. (Photo by Eremin / Bigstockpho)
