Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares are trading lower Friday after reports that the company told some suppliers to cut production of components for its recently launched iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models.

Apple Reportedly Cuts October Component Orders by 15% to 20%

Nikkei Asia reported that Apple has told some suppliers to cut production of components for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Nikkei said Apple has turned more conservative on shipments since early September, with component orders for October cut by 15% to 20% from what was originally expected.

The report said the cuts come amid weaker-than-expected demand for the new iPhone line. Soaring memory chip and component prices forced price hikes, which Nikkei said dented consumer demand.

Nikkei Says a Changed Launch Schedule Could Also Be a Factor

Nikkei said the weaker component demand could also reflect Apple’s shift in launch timing for the 18 series. The company launched its premium models, the 18 Pro, Pro Max and iPhone Duo, in September. It will launch the base iPhone 18 and an upgraded iPhone Air in early 2027. The base iPhone gained popularity last year with the iPhone 17 line and could bring in more sales.

The report also pointed to growing headwinds for consumer electronics companies as component costs rise. Global memory and electronics supplies have been squeezed by demand from the AI industry, and recent comments from Micron suggest that tightness is likely to persist well into 2027.

Munster Sees a Starlink Phone Hurting Samsung More Than Apple

Separately, SpaceX agreed Thursday to buy Grain Management’s nationwide 800 MHz spectrum portfolio, which it said sets up Starlink to become a major mobile carrier in the U.S. On an X post Thursday, Investor Gene Munster of Deepwater Asset Management said that he believes SpaceX will eventually make a smartphone, even though CEO Elon Musk has said he doesn’t want to. Munster said that would be a bigger problem for Samsung than for Apple, whose "device and services tie-in is harder to break."

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Apple Shares Edge Lower

AAPL Price Action: At the time of writing, Apple shares are trading 2.47% lower at $332.00, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

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