If you've been paying attention to iPhone 15 rumors over the past few days, you must have heard about the various possible delays, allegedly due to problems in obtaining various components. So when headlines pop up that Apple is facing production problems with its 4nm chips, it may set off even more alarm bells in your head. This time, however, you may not need to worry so much.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, TSMC, the company responsible for manufacturing Apple's current chips, has been forced to delay the start of production at its new Arizona plant. Apparently, a shortage of skilled workers is throwing off the schedule. Thankfully, this should not affect the iPhone 15 for two obvious reasons.

First and most importantly, the iPhone 15 chip is expected to use TSMC's 3nm process. Another thing to remember is that the facility was originally not scheduled to begin mass production until early next year, well after when the iPhone 15 family is expected to launch. In other words, according to the WSJ, the chips in these devices will most likely be supplied from Taiwan.

There are plans to build an additional facility in Arizona to produce 3nm chips for Apple, but that was not expected to happen until 4nm chip production began. Current projections indicate that 4nm mass production in Arizona will not occur until 2025, so this will not happen for at least a couple of years.

This means that this particular delay may not affect the iPhone 15 series, or even the M3 MacBook if the October release rumor is accurate.

No one knows at this point what Apple's long-term plans will be. It is possible that this delay, or delays stemming from it, will affect Apple's future plans. Then again, knowing those delays in advance could give Apple a chance to adjust its plans and procure components from elsewhere.

Given Apple's strong position in the supply chain, Apple definitely has a backup plan. As such, we expect the iPhone 16 series to arrive on schedule next fall.

Of course, the iPhone 15 may be delayed a bit regardless. Earlier this week, one analyst claimed that the iPhone could be delayed "a few weeks," but did not specify why. A more recent rumor claimed that Apple was having trouble sourcing a larger display for the iPhone 15 Pro. And in May, another rumor claimed that the 48MP camera could be delayed due to production problems.

How that will affect the release of the iPhone 15 will not be confirmed for several weeks yet. But at least we won't have to wait because Apple can't procure enough chips.

The iPhone 15 series is expected to launch this fall, and the latest news and rumors can be found at the iPhone 15 hub.