Apple expects iPhone 14 delivery delays due to COVID-19 restrictions in China
COVID-19-related restrictions at Foxconn’s main iPhone 14 manufacturing plant in Zhengzhou, China, mean that shipments will be lower than expected, Apple said in a brief press release. This, in turn, means that customers who have ordered iPhones will have to “wait longer to receive their new products,” the company added.
COVID-19-related restrictions have temporarily affected the main iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max assembly plant located in Zhengzhou, China. At this time, the plant is operating at a significantly reduced capacity. As we did during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prioritizing the health and safety of our supply chain employees. We continue to see strong demand for iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models. However, we now expect iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments to be lower than we previously anticipated and customers may have to wait longer to receive their new products. We are working closely with our supplier to return to normal production levels while ensuring the health and safety of every employee.
The slowdown in shipments was widely expected after the Chinese government ordered a week-long lockdown in the area where the Foxconn factory is located following the outbreak. The actions, part of the government’s “COVID Zero” approach, affect the plant, which produces four of Apple’s five new smartphones. Overall, iPhone production could be reduced by 30%, according to earlier reports.