According to media reports, Apple CEO Tim Cook is extremely anxious about the production progress of the upcoming iPhone 17 series.

The root of the problem lies not only in tariffs, but also in the severe shortage of a key material, low-CTE fiberglass cloth.

A supply chain insider said: "Cook is very anxious and urges suppliers every day" to "quickly resolve" the material shortage problem to avoid affecting the product's scheduled launch.

Low-CTE fiberglass cloth is a key material designed specifically for smartphones. It can not only conduct heat, but also reduce component stress problems caused by temperature changes.

As the internal structure of modern smartphones becomes increasingly sophisticated, the requirements for thermal management and mechanical stability continue to increase, and this material has become an indispensable part of almost every high-end mobile phone.

Other brands have also noticed the severity of the situation and have taken preparatory measures to avoid affecting their own product plans.

In addition to material shortages, Apple is also deeply affected by geopolitical and US tariff policy uncertainties. Even if Apple launches a plan to relocate production lines, such as expanding production capacity in India or Vietnam, it will be difficult to complete the overall transfer in the short term.

The more realistic problem is that even if the transfer is successful, other producing countries may also face varying degrees of export tariff pressure, which means that Apple may have to choose between "absorbing costs" and "raising product prices."

However, if Apple adjusts its price structure, if its pricing strategy is too aggressive in the context of slowing growth in the global smartphone market and longer user replacement cycles, it may trigger a market rebound.