I doubt that. Sofirn/Wurkkos get most of their 21700 batteries from Lishen, 18650 batteries from DLG. Some of their latest 26650s come from PLB. It is very unlikely that all these battery manufacturers have started some conspiracy against flashlight manufacturers. What I see over here happening is:
- battery shortage is getting more serious day by day
- demand on the other side is rising (EVs, notebooks, power tools, ...)
- more and more fake or grade B cells showing up, even sold from trustworthy retailers (by accident I suppose)
My assumption is that not only Samsung, LG Chemicals, Sanyo/Panasonic, Sony/Murata but also Lishen or Molicel have to deal with huge demands and limited stock availability. Top grade cells will most likely be sold to EV manufacturers who buy high volume lots, being considered as premium customers. The flashlight/vaper market is insignificantly small in comparison.