Apple is reportedly dealing with pressing supply chain issues that, if not resolved soon, could delay the mass production of the 2020 iPhone models and the devices' scheduled arrival. As previously revealed, the Coronavirus outbreak in China could potentially push back the manufacture, shipment, and release of the iPhone 12.
Already, the finalization of the prototype for the new iPhones has been delayed because engineers from Apple and Foxconn were unable to meet. Foxconn employees are unavailable at times due to quarantine measures imposed by the local government where the company's production facilities are located.
On Apple's part, employees are having a hard time catching flights going in and out of China due to travel restrictions.
According to MacRumors, U.S. airlines are not scheduled to resume regular flights involving key Chinese cities like Beijing, Chengdu, Hong Kong, and Shanghai until April 24. The same applies to United Airlines, and since Apple employees frequently book with the carrier, it has become increasingly difficult for the iPhone maker to send people to China.
As a result, the engineering validation of the new iPhones has been delayed when normally the process should have been in the late stages this February. It could be inevitable that the review and finalization of the prototypes to be used for production will fall behind schedule.
In such a case, the delay will trigger a domino effect that could see the tech giant forced to take more time in ordering the chips and other components that will be used for the wholesale manufacture of the new iPhone models.
Reuters said finalizing the exact specifications of the materials for the iPhone is crucial because suppliers will need to custom-build the components per the requirements by Apple. So it can be said that unless the situation in China sees significant improvements soon, the production of the next iPhone will see a considerable delay.
To date, it remains unclear if production activities will commence as planned. Apple normally gives the green light in June or July, but there is no indication it will be the case for the 2020 iPhone models.
It will be the same thing for the release of the new devices. Usually, Apple introduces the new series in September then the commercial debut follows a month after. Given the complications spawned by the Coronavirus outbreak in China, it's still a question mark if the company's iPhone release calendar for 2020 will be followed as planned.
Apple has sent a notice in advance that supply shortages must be expected for the Q1 2020 shipment of existing iPhone models, precisely because of the Coronavirus. The chance is high; the same problem could cause the iPhone 12 to arrive late this year.
