Foxconn Technology Group assured investors that it will still be able to meet its previously set schedules for the rollout of the latest 5G-enabled iPhones in September. Apple's manufacturing partner stated that the products will be ready for an autumn launch despite the disruptions caused by the viral outbreak.
During a conference call hosted by Goldman Sachs on Wednesday, Foxconn admitted to investors that it has lost precious time due to the ongoing lockdowns and travel restrictions imposed by global governments. However, the company's investor relations chief, Alex Yang, stated that it can still make the deadline as trial assembly lines are set to restart by June and the launch is still a few months away.
The Taiwan-based tech giant has experienced massive delays throughout January and February due to the viral epidemic. Government restrictions had resulted in the shutdown of its facilities at home and in China that manufactured and assembled Apple iPhones and other electronic products. Hundreds of thousands of its workers were forced to stay at home and delays on their return caused further disruptions.
As the country slowly took control of the pandemic, Foxconn has since resumed normal operations. Investors were however concerned over the company's ability to calibrate, develop, and assemble the new iPhone models in time. Foxconn disclaimed that its ability to meet the deadline can still be hampered if the pandemic worsens or returns.
Yang told investors that the postponement of the autumn launch was still in the cards but he assured that the products should at least become available during the crucial holiday season. He added that the company's engineers and staff are doing everything they can to catch up on the missing gap after the shutdowns.
Foxconn intended for the Wednesday conference to inform stakeholders of the current situation and its thoughts on the latest developments affecting the industry. It stated that it was not intended to give concrete updates on specific products.
The upcoming next-generation iPhone is particularly important to the Cupertino-based tech giant as it will be the first of its devices to take full advantage of new 5G mobile networks. Apple is already behind its Android competitors, which have mostly already released 5G-capable smartphone models. Both Samsung and Huawei had released 5G devices last year.
The ongoing viral outbreak could very well disrupt Apple's plans this year and place it further behind its main competitors. Apart from its assemblers, the company's supply chain involves hundreds of other suppliers that source and manufacture different components.
