

Apple is encountering display issues that could make the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max hard to get when they launch later this year. According to people “with direct knowledge of the issue”, suppliers have been experiencing problems with the new manufacturing process that’s designed to produce much thinner bezels for Apple’s best iPhones – and that means there could be stock shortages at launch.
The report comes via The Information (paywall), and says that Apple’s display partner, LG Display, is encountering similar issues to the ones around the launch of the Apple Watch Series 7 four years ago. That too involved a change of panel size – the Series 7 display increased by 1mm – and production problems ended up delaying shipments by several weeks.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard predictions of delayed iPhone 15 models in recent weeks, but it’s the first time the predictions have come with an explanation of why Apple’s shipping dates may slip.
What’s the problem with the iPhone 15 Pro display?
The problems are reportedly occurring where the display is attached to the metal shell of the iPhone, with multiple units failing reliability tests. The Information’s sources say that Apple is now tweaking the design to get around this issue, and that it also has supplies of displays from Samsung Display that it may use instead.
It appears that despite the problems Apple doesn’t intend to delay the launch of either the iPhone 15 Pro or the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but it seems very likely that you may have to wait a bit longer for delivery of those models. This is quite common with modern smartphone launches – last month we reported on delays and extended delivery times around the Google Pixel Fold – and iPhones have suffered from limited availability before, such as with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max last year.
I think it’s extremely unlikely that Apple will put back the iPhone 15 launch date this year, because that’s not something Apple likes to do. Instead, I think we’ll probably see a relatively limited stock of Pro and Pro Max models that’ll be snapped up in a heartbeat, with customers who order slightly later being given longer delivery lead times. However it’s still possible that the display issues can be addressed: the iPhone 15 isn’t expected to go into full production until August 2023.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Writer, musician and broadcaster Carrie Marshall has been covering technology since 1998 and is particularly interested in how tech can help us live our best lives. Her CV is a who’s who of magazines, newspapers, websites and radio programmes ranging from T3, Techradar and MacFormat to the BBC, Sunday Post and People’s Friend. Carrie has written more than a dozen books, ghost-wrote two more and co-wrote seven more books and a Radio 2 documentary series; her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, was shortlisted for the British Book Awards. When she’s not scribbling, Carrie is the singer in Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind (unquietmindmusic).
-
Always on the move? This smart backpack makes travelling light a complete breeze
Say hello to the Mous Optimal Travel Backpack...
By Lizzie Wilmot Published
-
No stupid questions: which direction should you pitch a tent?
An outdoor expert reveals all so you can have a better night's rest
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
Your iPhone tipped to get a seismic upgrade with iOS 19 – the biggest in many years
It's said to be the most significant overhaul in over a decade
By Sam Cross Published
-
Google Maps design update finally comes to iPhone after Android owners have enjoyed it for months
It should make one-handed use much easier
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
I tried Apple’s latest budget iPhone and it’s more than enough phone for most people
Forget the 16, the iPhone 16e is the model that most people will end up buying, and I can see why
By Mat Gallagher Published
-
MacBook Air M4 ups the power, battery life and is surprisingly cheaper
Apple announces a new MacBook Air with a big upgrade to M4 processing
By Rik Henderson Published
-
There's an ingenious and cheap way to make sure you never lose your camera
If you're worried about losing your expensive camera, this little device could help
By Chris Hall Published
-
Photoshop's getting a surprise free upgrade on iPhone – and Android's next
The full experience is coming to mobile
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
5 must-know iPhone 16e facts and how it compares to iPhone 16
Apple's newest iPhone is an interesting addition
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Apple's "Google Lens" update is confirmed for older iPhones too, but there's a small catch
Visual Intelligence is Apple's answer to Google Lens and it'll soon be available on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
By Rik Henderson Published