The bill could be steep. The price of iPhones, Playstations and most high-tech products could increase significantly this year, according to many analysts.
In question, the shortage which threatens the sector of semiconductors, used in the manufacture of electronic objects. This is linked to two factors. On the one hand, the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns and curfews it has brought about, as well as the development of teleworking, have exploded the demand for game consoles, smartphones, tablets, computers and other products that work. with bullets.
And on the other hand, the trade war between the United States and China has pushed the Chinese electronics giant Huawei to build up huge stocks of semiconductors, thus increasing the pressure on supply.
The automotive sector has been particularly affected by these supply difficulties, Ford and Volkswagen having been forced to reduce their production. Nearly a million vehicles could thus be affected by these delays.
A generalized shortage
“Electronic goods and vehicles will be produced in fewer numbers and will be more expensive in 2021,” predicts the executive director of the consulting firm Strategy Analytics, interviewed by AFP. “Everything that has a chip is affected, cars, smartphones, game consoles, tablets and laptops,” he adds.
As Bloomberg reports, shipments of some iPhone 12 models have been limited as a result. And the difficulties in obtaining the new PlayStation 5 from Sony as well as the latest XboX from Microsoft are also explained by the lack of certain chips.
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And the shortage has been further compounded by the rollout of 5G, which has fueled demand for new mobile chips.
Analysts believe, however, that the situation could improve during the year, in particular thanks to vaccination campaigns, which would allow manufacturers to return to full capacity and open new factories.
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