ON BLACK FRIDAY, SHOPPERS CANNOT FIND APPLE'S LATEST IPHONES.

Many Black Friday consumers eager for Apple's latest iPhone models left empty-handed, as the technology corporation suffers with production issues in China.

Sally Gannon and her son Michael were among them, and they were visiting an Apple store in Bethesda, where there were no iPhone Pros in stock.

Likewise, Abisha Luitel desired an iPhone 14 Pro for her 21-year-old relative. But the Apple shop she went to was closed. Instead, she went with an older model, the 12.

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives noted in a note that "iPhone shortages are intensifying and were front and centre this morning on Black Friday across multiple shops, Apple Stores, and internet platforms."

"We estimate many Apple Stores already have iPhone 14 Pro shortages depending on model, colour, or storage that are up to 25%-30% below usual heading into a typical December, which is not a good indicator for Cupertino," he added, referring to Apple's headquarters.

Apple shares fell 2.0% after a source at its supplier Foxconn told Reuters on Friday that iPhone production might be impacted further due to worker unrest at the factory.

On Friday, Apple did not reply to a request for comment. It indicated in a statement on November 7 that it expects less iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments than originally planned.

The company, the world's largest Apple iPhone manufacturer, has been dealing with rigorous COVID-19 regulations, which have exacerbated worker resentment and delayed production ahead of Christmas and the Lunar New Year vacation in January.

An clerk at an Apple store at a Bethesda, Maryland mall reported there were nearly no 14 Pro and Pro Max in stock. Another employee at a Raleigh, North Carolina shop stated that iPhone 14s were in short supply, while the iPhone 14 Plus was totally sold out.

Sally Gannon stated that she and her son were now considering purchasing the iPhone online. She said that an Apple shop staff informed them that an internet phone order will be delivered on December 28.

Best Buy, the largest electronics retailer in the United States, warned earlier this week that high-end iPhones will be in limited supply this Christmas season. more info

Wedbush analyst Ives predicts that about 8 million iPhones will be sold during the Black Friday weekend, down from 10 million a year ago, owing to supply issues.

If you want to shop online, he added wait periods on Apple's website for the new iPhone 14 Pro are currently up to 40 days, which will only increase in the following weeks as more buyers try to find iPhone Pros to buy as presents.