Want an iPad This Year? Don't Wait to Buy One (2024)

Apple isn't immune to chip shortages, and apparently it's decided to prioritize iPhone 13 production by cutting iPad production significantly. Apple did warn us this could happen last week, but now we're seeing the first signs the company is trying to deal with the problem head-on.

As Nikkei Asia reports, many of Apple's devices share the same components, which means it's relatively easy to prioritize where those components end up. With the global supply shortages continuing to cause problems, multiple sources have confirmed Apple has decided to cut iPad production by around 50%. Older iPhone models are also not immune, with some components from the iPhone 12 or earlier being re-allocated to iPhone 13 production.

Although it may not be apparent yet, if Apple has refocused output on iPhone 13 due to demand coupled with chip shortages, it means buying a new iPad for Christmas could prove difficult. A quick check on the US Apple Store shows iPad stock (be that iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini, or iPad Pro) being readily available, so if you definitely want one, it's probably best to buy your desired model sooner rather than later.

Apple carried out a similar reallocation of components last year for the release of the iPhone 12 and iPad shipments didn't seem to suffer. However, chip shortages continue to bite and iPhone 13 demand is proving to be much stronger than for iPads. That could change as we enter December, though.