If you want to get one of Apple's best iPhones, the iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max, you'd better order sooner rather than later: delivery lead times are long and about to get a whole lot longer.
Apple isn't messing you about here. In a short press statement, Apple explains that "COVID-19 restrictions have temporarily impacted the primary iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max assembly facility located in Zhengzhou, China." That means the plant is making fewer Pro and Pro Max models than anticipated, and that's going to have a knock-on effect on supply for the foreseeable future.
How to beat the delays on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max
Looking at the UK Apple Store, lead times for all models of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are currently sitting at 6th to 13th of December. It doesn't matter which model you choose, what colour or what capacity; they're all showing up with the same lead times. I'm getting zero stock availability in Apple Stores too.
It's a similar story on the major retailers, which are reporting that the Pro and Pro Max are currently out of stock both online and in stores.
If you're really in a hurry to get a Pro or Pro Max you'll have to shop around. I'm finding very, very limited availability of some 1TB iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models on phone retailers' websites for next day delivery, and a small number of Pros – excluding the cheapest one – for delivery in mid-November.
There is another option if you want a Pro iPhone but aren't too bothered about getting the very latest and most expensive ones. The iPhone 13 Pro is widely available, and while it's not the latest version it's still a very powerful device.
-
I put Therabody's affordable recovery boots to test and I prefer them over pricier modelsThe JetBoot's Prime from Therabody may be cheaper than other models, but they still pack a punch
-
Apple TV+ has just given us the great news we've all been waiting forHe's coming home, he's coming home, Lasso's coming home...
-
Your iPhone tipped to get a seismic upgrade with iOS 19 – the biggest in many yearsIt's said to be the most significant overhaul in over a decade
-
Google Maps design update finally comes to iPhone after Android owners have enjoyed it for monthsIt should make one-handed use much easier
-
I tried Apple’s latest budget iPhone and it’s more than enough phone for most peopleForget the 16, the iPhone 16e is the model that most people will end up buying, and I can see why
-
MacBook Air M4 ups the power, battery life and is surprisingly cheaperApple announces a new MacBook Air with a big upgrade to M4 processing
-
There's an ingenious and cheap way to make sure you never lose your cameraIf you're worried about losing your expensive camera, this little device could help
-
Photoshop's getting a surprise free upgrade on iPhone – and Android's nextThe full experience is coming to mobile
-
5 must-know iPhone 16e facts and how it compares to iPhone 16Apple's newest iPhone is an interesting addition
-
Apple's "Google Lens" update is confirmed for older iPhones too, but there's a small catchVisual Intelligence is Apple's answer to Google Lens and it'll soon be available on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
