Apple registered a sharp decline in its stock after releasing financial projections for the coming months that fell short of expectations. According to Reuters, the corporation is facing obstacles in securing essential components amid intense global competition for semiconductors destined for artificial intelligence expansion.
This decline represents a risk of the company losing its status as the world's most valuable company, returning that position to Nvidia, the chip manufacturer primarily focused on AI systems.
Apple's shares plummeted nearly 10% immediately after the publication of results and new financial estimates. If this trend continues, the company could lose approximately US$ 500 billion (equivalent to about R$ 2.5 trillion) in market value. This drop marks the worst daily performance for the company since March 2020, a period when global markets were impacted by the pandemic.
The core of the problem lies in the supply chain. The eagerness of technology companies to build vast artificial intelligence infrastructures has intensified the dispute over advanced processors and memory, also affecting producers of cell phones and computers.
Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, described the situation as 'very significant,' indicating that the company has few alternatives to manage supply chain restrictions. This statement was made during his last earnings presentation before the transition of duties to John Ternus.
The relentless pursuit of chips to sustain new AI systems has imposed unexpected pressure on traditional technology segments. Even industry giants have begun to struggle to increase their inventories and keep up with demand for parts.
The effects of this scenario include: increased competition for sophisticated chips; rising component costs; difficulties in fulfilling orders for iPhones and Macs; and pressure exerted on the smartphone and computer market. If Apple itself signals that it has exhausted all flexibility in the supply chain, the situation is considered serious for all involved, according to Ben Bajarin, CEO of the consultancy Creative Strategies, to Reuters.
Market apprehension was not limited to components. The performance of Apple's services division, which includes businesses such as Apple Music, App Store, and Apple TV, also attracted attention. The company projected revenue growth between 9% and 11% in the current quarter, a percentage lower than the analysts' expectation of about 12%.
Investors are also monitoring the possibility of price adjustments for future iPhones. Nevertheless, some experts suggest that Apple has already made previous adjustments without causing major changes in device demand.
The current challenge consists of harmonizing the high demand for its products with a supply chain that is under stress due to the same technology that promises to revolutionize the sector's future: artificial intelligence.
Apple is reportedly looking to lower the cost of OLED screens designed for the future iPhone 18 Pro Max, in a scenario influenced by competition for artificial intelligence-related components. According to The Elec, a South Korean portal focused on the technology sector, the company has been negotiating with its main panel suppliers to secure lower prices.
Apple has asked suppliers to reduce the price of the iPhone 18 Pro Max OLED screens to approximately US$ 70 (equivalent to about R$ 380). This price represents a reduction compared to the panel used in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which was estimated at US$ 80 (approximately R$ 435).
The discussions were even broader, as Samsung Display and LG Display are reportedly supplying the screens for around US$ 66.50 (approximately R$ 360), which constitutes a drop of about 20%. Data from UBI Research, cited by the publication, presents production projections for 2026:
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models are expected to incorporate M16 OLED screens, a more modern version of these panels. This new generation is anticipated to bring improvements such as higher luminous efficiency, increased durability, and advancements in color reproduction quality. It is worth noting that the decrease in display price is not new; OLED screens used in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, launched in 2024, once cost over US$ 100 (about R$ 545) on certain occasions.
The progress of artificial intelligence has intensified the demand for memory chips and generated new challenges for technology manufacturers. Lee Cheong, president of Samsung Display, stated that there is a 'very strong pressure to reduce component and screen prices' due to 'chip inflation.' Jeong Cheol-dong, president of LG Display, also acknowledged this situation but assured that the situation remains 'at a manageable level.'
This negotiation conducted by Apple signals a transformation in the market: the competition for components essential to artificial intelligence is already interfering with the development of popular products, including one of the planet's main smartphone series.
