Apple faces a significant challenge with chip supply, even though it can manage DRAM shortages by buying in bulk. TSMC, Apple’s main chip maker, is currently running at full capacity, primarily fulfilling orders for 3nm chips needed by AI customers. This high demand is negatively affecting shipments of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, making it incredibly hard for customers to find the flagship phone in some U.S. states.
A Redditor named ‘agentic-consultant’ shared his frustration after searching for an iPhone 17 Pro Max across Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. He contacted nearly every Apple store within 300 miles but couldn’t find one. Given that both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are Apple’s top-tier flagships and usually sell very well, stores should typically keep them well-stocked.
The situation seems to be worsening. Another Reddit user, ‘recoveringloveaholic’, claimed he received his iPhone 17 Pro Max last Friday but had to constantly check for stock availability. The device was only available in a single color, suggesting Apple is facing a short-term crisis with both chip and memory supply.
This problem isn’t confined to just one U.S. region. An Apple store employee in Dedham reportedly told a customer that a group makes bulk purchases of iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max units. These groups likely resell them at higher prices, taking advantage of the limited supply. Since these groups get notifications about restocking, they are often quicker to secure these popular phones than regular customers.
It’s hard to say how bad the situation will become, but the emergence of scalping suggests that the iPhone 18 launch could face similar supply challenges. Furthermore, since the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air all use the A19 Pro chip, Apple might encounter similar supply issues with the second-generation MacBook Neo, which is rumored to use the same SoC.
During Apple’s Q2 2026 earnings call, CEO Tim Cook stated that the company is implementing measures to navigate these challenges. However, even if the chip supply issues ease, the broader DRAM shortage is not expected to disappear anytime soon.
