Parallel reports have all recently claimed that Apple has decided to "delay the mass production" of its upcoming "iPhone 12", but these reports don't offer any meaningful evidence that this could result in a materially late launch. Here's a look at why.
Workers at Apple's component manufacturing factories say that their hours are being cut, and some are losing jobs, as the coronavirus has larger impacts on the world's demand for products — and maybe the release date of the "iPhone 12" as well.
Foxconn's innovation centers in Wisconsin are still largely unused, an investigation one year after the initial discovery reveals, despite assurances the Apple assembly partner will get its facilities in the state operational during 2020.
As Apple partner Foxconn restarts iPhone production in China, a report on Wednesday takes an in-depth look at the protocols the contract manufacturer has in place to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19.
Maybe 2019 was practice for Apple, as it is now used to releasing new products via a press release. That's what it had to do in March 2020 as the whole world self-isolated, and Apple Stores closed their doors.
A new report into Foxconn's financial situation suggests that it isn't the "iPhone 12" at risk for a later than expected release, but Apple products currently in development for future years will be affected by the COVID-19 outbreak the most.
Foxconn has assured investors that it has managed to recruit enough workers at all major Chinese factories before production of the "iPhone 12" is set to begin.
The coronavirus outbreak has made an impact on Foxconn's finances with the iPhone assembly partner enduring its biggest year-on-year drop in revenue for a month in a seven-year period due to the virus affecting its production pipeline.
Apple supplier Foxconn says that it will return to regular operation by the end of the month after the closures caused by the coronavirus, and also that over half of its usual seasonal workers have already returned to work.
The COVID-19 outbreak has made it clear just how dependent Apple is on its supply chain in China, despite efforts to diversify where its products are made.
In an effort to combat low employee turnout, Foxconn has begun providing incentives for workers to return to assembly plants in Shenzhen and Chengzhou, China.
At the same time that Apple takes tentative steps to reopen all of its retail stores in China, the company's main iPhone assembler Foxconn has announced that it will be "cautiously" resuming production in its main iPhone manufacturing plants.
Apple's coronavirus-related supply chain issues will be a problem for the company long into April, a report claims, as despite efforts from assembly partners, supplies of the iPhone may be constrained for some time to come.
Foxconn on Wednesday invalidated a report that claimed the company plans to reopen a significant portion of its Chinese production force in February, though the firm failed to set the record straight with an official timeline.
The coronavirus continues to spread through China, leaving many businesses and factories closed throughout affected areas. Here's how Apple and Foxconn have been impacted so far.
Apple partner Foxconn is reportedly working to return its China-based production capabilities to half strength by the end of February, a move that would bring vital supply lines back to life after being shut down due to the coronavirus outbreak.
