It is no longer news to anyone that the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it various problems and consequences in practically all different sectors. But without a doubt, one of the sectors most affected is the scarcity of chips, which are used in various segments, from the automobile market, to computers, telephones, among others.
According to the latest reports, the lack of chips affects 90% of the smartphone industry. On the other hand, despite this large mathematical index, Apple is one of the brands least affected by this problem.
Because of the new coronavirus, factories around the world were forced to close their doors or reduce their activity, as a form of preventive measure to avoid contagion among workers. Following this same line, Covid-19 led to confinement in all countries, reason that aroused the need of people to acquire technological equipment, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, printers, etc. Now, increasing demand and decreasing supply, the result was a shortage of components.
According to the renowned study of Counterpoint, a company dedicated to research related to the technological market, we can have a better perception of the impact that the shortage of components is having on the telephone segment. According to the survey, chip shortages hit 90% of the smartphone industry by 2021, a figure that is entirely significant. Therefore, the company estimates for this sector an annual growth lower than expected.
A Counterpoint he added that 2020 had the worst smartphone production rates in recent years, showing that only 1,33 billion units were manufactured, a very low value compared to the 1,48 billion produced in 2019.
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The latest forecasts point to a growth of only 6% in 2021, thus estimating the production of 1,41 billion smartphones. This figure is below the 9%, or 1,45 billion units, initially estimated by Counterpoint. Thus, 2021 seemed to be the year of recovery, but it seems that this can only be expected for 2022, at best.
The report still continues that Apple is one of the companies that will least feel the impact of this shortage, due to the fact that the company is able to negotiate components in a priority way and in advance, due to its purchasing power and influence.
Below are the words of Tom Kang, Director of Research at Counterpoint Research:
The scarcity of semiconductors seems to affect all brands in ecosystems. Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi have been affected and we are reducing our forecasts. But Apple seems to be the most resilient and least affected by the AP [Application Processor] shortage situation.
