Apple is losing its grip on the world's tech supply chain

Core Viewpoint - Apple is losing its dominant position in the tech supply chain, with power shifting towards AI companies like Nvidia and major cloud providers such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google [1][2]. Supply Chain Dynamics - Apple, while still a major player, is no longer the primary client for key suppliers, which marks a significant shift in the industry [2][12]. - The tech companies that control the supply chain are more likely to succeed, as they can secure better pricing and reliable supply by ordering larger volumes of components [2]. TSMC's Changing Focus - TSMC, the largest chipmaker, has seen its high-performance computing segment, driven by AI chips, account for approximately 58% of its revenue, surpassing smartphone processors [6]. - TSMC's CEO noted that AI companies demonstrate significant business growth and financial returns, leading suppliers to prioritize these clients over Apple [7]. Memory Chip Market Shift - Memory chip manufacturers are reallocating capacity from smartphones and PCs to meet the demands of AI data centers, which could lead to increased smartphone costs and squeezed margins [8]. - Nvidia has secured long-term memory supply contracts, diminishing the negotiating power of smartphone makers [8]. Bottlenecks and Competition - Emerging bottlenecks in the supply chain, such as a shortage of high-end glass cloth for chip substrates, are causing suppliers to favor AI customers who offer pre-payments and multi-year contracts [9][10]. - Apple is now competing with AI chipmakers for limited substrate supplies and is even sending engineers to assist smaller suppliers in qualifying alternative materials [10]. Manufacturing Partner Shifts - Foxconn, traditionally associated with iPhone assembly, is now generating more revenue from AI servers than from consumer electronics, indicating a shift in focus towards AI clients [11]. Apple's Position in the Market - Despite these changes, Apple remains one of the largest component buyers, but it is now experiencing what it means to be just another large customer in a supply chain increasingly influenced by AI [12].