The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are coming in about a month, together with the foldable iPhone Ultra, and we’ve already heard that all three phones could face serious shortages. While the main reason for this issue is said to be the global RAM crunch, the company is reportedly changing the way it sources OLED display panels in an attempt to avoid further issues.
Apple is trying to avoid iPhone 18 Pro shortages by stockpiling components
Apple has changed its strategy and is now holding OLED display panels in reserve much longer than usual. According to a report from ETNews, the company has responded to the rising component prices by moving to a six-week display supply buffer ahead of the iPhone 18 Pro launch.
This is an unusual move for Apple, which has usually worked with a four-week supply, treating inventory as a cost-cutting opportunity. Now, the company is holding more stock in an attempt to stabilize prices, according to industry sources.
The shift in strategy started during a quieter period of Apple’s sales cycle and was driven by the rising memory prices, which are also affecting other components.
How long would you wait for a new iPhone if there are shipment delays?
Sticking with the same suppliers and the same strategy
Apple is stockpiling displays for the iPhone 18 Pro. | Image by Sonny Dickson
Apple’s main display panel suppliers remain Samsung Display and LG Display, though BOE is also part of the mix. However, the Chinese company has a much smaller share than the two South Korean giants.
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Even after the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple is expected to stick to the same six-week supply buffer and make this its long-term policy. That would be in response to the supply chain pressure, which is not expected to ease anytime soon.
According to an earlier report, Apple is facing a much more severe issue as it’s struggling to secure enough memory for its upcoming phones. This has led to an estimated $1 billion worth of A20 Pro chips being stuck at TSMC, waiting to be packaged and proceed to the next step in the manufacturing process.
If there’s someone who may celebrate these developments, it would be Apple’s competitors. Samsung doesn’t seem to have any issues with the Galaxy S26 Ultra supply, and its price remained unchanged from the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Google is also expected to meet the demand for the Pixel 11 Pro, though we’re yet to see how big the price increase will be.
Tough times for smartphone buyers
My hope that the iPhone 18 Pro price increase won’t be as bad as the worst forecasts is slowly fading. Even if Apple’s new tricks keep the price of other components down, the memory issue isn’t going away anytime soon.
The best we can wish for is smaller price hikes, but eventually customers are going to pay more or stick with their old devices, neither of which feels like a great option.
See more details about the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro:
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Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.
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