Apple announced the iPhone 14 series at its September launch event, including two high-end iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models, and the available time has been relatively stable since it started shipping, with the Pro model taking less than a month or so and the standard model within a week. But now, just after about two months, the situation has changed. According to a press release issued by the company, consumers are taking the usual longer to receive their iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max orders.
The reason for this problem is related to supply chain tensions located in China, where a factory in Zhengzhou that produces iPhones is currently restricted due to the COVID-19 response in the city where it is located.
The pandemic dealt a strong blow to the global supply chain and the technology and automotive industries have still not recovered from it. While there have been improvements on the supply side, the ongoing impact of the virus remains an issue and, as Apple’s new announcement demonstrates, it still has the potential to disrupt lives. The company says its two Pro models are in high demand, but if you’ve placed an order and haven’t received it yet, you may end up waiting a while to get your order.
On Nov. 2, Reuters reported that the Chinese city of Zhengzhou was back under temporary restrictions due to concerns about a potential outbreak of COVID-19. Zhengzhou, home to about 13 million people, is the site of a Foxconn factory that makes most of Apple’s iPhones. The new restrictions raised questions about how the changes would affect Foxconn, although there was no clear answer at the time. Reports from workers said the strict conditions and lack of adequate care led some workers to leave the plant.
Now we have the answer to the question about its impact on iPhone production, and it comes in the form of an Apple press release. The company explains that the measures “temporarily impacted the main iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max” factories, which resulted in “significantly reduced operational capacity. While it sounds like the plant is still operating to some extent, the impact of this slowdown will be reflected in device availability.
As part of the statement, Apple explained: “We continue to see strong demand for the 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 will experience longer wait times to receive their new products.” On top of that, Apple said it is working with Foxconn to address the issue but has not yet provided a timeframe on how long it expects the shipping delay to last and how long it may take for production to return to normal.
