Ahead of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro launch, Apple supply chain partner Foxconn is on a hiring spree to find staff for its largest smartphone factory.
The White House been placing increasing pressure on companies to cut ties with China as part of the trade war between the two countries, and key Apple suppliers are being caught in the middle.
Apple's iPhone assembly partners in India are expected to benefit from the country's $6.6 billion Production-Linked Incentive Scheme, an initiative to encourage the production of smartphones in the region.
Shipments of circuit boards are suggesting that Apple could release the 6.1-inch "iPhone 12 Max" and "iPhone 12 Pro" first, with the outlying smaller and larger sizes arriving a bit later.
Apple's assembly partners are reportedly considering the possibility of opening up new factories in Mexico, in what could be an attempt by Apple to diversify its supply chain further away from China.
Apple is considering the possibility of bringing iPhone manufacturing to Vietnam, a report claims, after the Cupertino company visited a factory owned by assembly partner Luxshare to check the conditions of the facility.
Chinese chip producers are tempting employees from Apple chip partner TSMC to jump ship, with more than 100 engineers and managers said to have taken the bait of higher wages as rival foundries attempt to shift away from relying on external suppliers.
Apple's assembly partners Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron have all applied to participate in India's $6.6 billion Production-Linked Incentive Scheme, in a bid for benefits for increasing production of smartphones in the country.
LG Display is reportedly benefiting from a considerably higher number of OLED panel orders from Apple this year, in a move that may help the iPhone maker reduce its reliance on Samsung for displays in its supply chain for the "iPhone 12"
A supply chain report on Wednesday suggest that Apple's "iPhone 12" lineup could launch in October, with 5G models shipping in November.
After human rights violations by supplier O-Film Technology were alleged earlier in 2020, Apple launched an investigation and has now said that it has found no evidence of wrongdoing.
In its 2020 Environmental Progress Report, Apple said that it used 18% less energy in 2019 than the prior year — a result of the energy efficiency measures that it has adopted at facilities globally.
TSMC is getting closer to finalizing a 3-nanometer process that could be used on Apple's A-series or Apple Silicon chips that will be produced in 2022, with a report doubling down on rumors the chip foundry reportedly gearing up to start risk production of processors using the process in 2021.
Apple may have paid Samsung Display in the region of $950 million, analysts believe, a hefty penalty paid out for not buying enough OLED panels to meet a contracted minimum amount.
Component suppliers are reporting that Apple is increasing its orders for MacBook Pro parts in a supply chain pressured by demand from more people working at home.
Apple manufacturing partner TSMC is on track to start producing chips using a 3nm chip fabrication process in late 2022, and is already working on improved 5nm processes.
A lineup of four 3D-printed "iPhone 12" mockups, based on supposedly leaked schematics and supply chain rumors, surfaced on Monday to provide what could be the first clear look at Apple's upcoming handset series.
India is making it more attractive for Apple and other mobile phone companies to set up production facilities in the country by adjusting the rules for its PLI scheme, a change that could allow Apple to increase manufacturing in the region.
A leaked version of iOS 14, likely obtained from within Apple's supply chain in China, has been circulating around iPhone jailbreaking and hacking circles since at least February.
Apple Senior Vice President of Operations Sabih Khan has outlined how the company plans to ensure health and safety across its global supply chain amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Mike Peterson
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
