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.
-
Is the cost of my iPhone going up? Everything we know about the effects of tariffs on techIt's an uncertain time for tech fans, with predictions not looking good for the price of phones, laptops and more in the US and beyond
-
AirPods Max finally get the great free upgrade Apple promisedHere's how to make sure your headphones are running the right firmware
-
Apple TV gets a free update that makes it more simple to useApple has released tvOS 18.4 with a few design tweaks for its TV boxes
-
Your iPhone gets some new tricks - here’s what it can do nowThe new emojis and priority notifications are probably our favourite
-
Older iPhones at risk of being left behind when iOS 19 arrives – is your device one of them?Apple will reportedly drop three iPhone models when it comes to the iOS 19 update
-
Your next MacBook Pro could be a game-changer for three good reasonsApple will reportedly upgrade next year's MacBook Pro in three major ways
-
M5 iPad Pro on schedule for release this year, claims expertApple's best tablet is reportedly getting even more power in late 2025
-
New evidence suggests Apple's taking its foldable iPhone seriouslyAnd it might bring something different to the party too
