Apple recently announced that customers have to experience longer wait times for iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max orders. The Cupertino tech giant explains that the fresh COVID-19 restrictions in China by the authorities will temporarily affect Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max assembly factory which is located in Zhengzhou, China. The facility is currently operating at a significantly reduced capacity and will impact the supply of its premium iPhone 14 Pro models. Apple announced this via a Press release, just ahead of the major Holiday season and Black Friday Sale season in several markets. That’s the reason why iPhone 14 Pro models aren’t readily available in the markets, not even in Apple stores.
On November 02, the Chinese authorities enforced a seven-day lockdown in an industrial area in Zhengzhou which also houses Foxconn’s plant. Foxconn is one of the largest iPhone manufacturing facilities. In October,
Reuters reported that iPhone production could fall by at least 30 percent amid the strict COVID restrictions that are affecting Foxconn. Additionally, The New York Times revealed that 200,000 Foxconn workers have been forced to stay inside the unit during the outbreak with limited food and other supplies for days. This resulted in many workers escaping the facility in droves.
Apple says that they see strong demand for their iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. According to the renowned
analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 14 Pro models will account for 60-65% of the total iPhone 14 shipments in the second half of 2022. Therefore, Apple greatly shifted its focus and anticipated huge shipments for the 2022 flagships. However, the new COVID-19 restrictions in China will result in lower shipments and longer waiting times for customers. So, if you’re planning to buy an iPhone 14 Pro or 14 Pro, you’ll have to wait significantly longer.
Amongst all this, Apple also assured its customers and investors that the company is working closely with its suppliers to restore normal production levels. Also, Apple has already started shifting some of its production from China to India in September. This new production facility, Foxconn’s Sriperumbudur factory in Tamil Nadu is already making the base models of iPhone 14.
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