Apple’s iPhone development schedule delayed by China lockdowns – Nikkei

Apple iPhone 13 Pro models in the colour “alpine green” are displayed at an Apple shop in Singapore March 18, 2022. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

May 25 (Reuters) – Apple Inc (AAPL.O) has told its suppliers to speed up iPhone development after China’s strict COVID-19 lockdowns hampered schedule for at least one of the new phones, Nikkei reported on Wednesday, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the matter.

Lockdowns due to China’s zero-COVID policy led iPhone assembler Pegatron Corp (4938.TW) to suspend operations at its Shanghai and Kunshan plants last month.

Financial hub Shanghai remains largely paralysed by a city-wide lockdown, which is now in its seventh week, while Beijing has ramped up quarantine efforts. read more

Apple last month forecast bigger problems as COVID-19 lockdowns snarled production and demand in China, with the war in Ukraine adding to the iPhone maker’s woes. read more

In the worst-case scenario, Apple expects the manufacturing schedule and initial production volumes of the new phones to be hurt, the Nikkei business daily reported.

Apple and its suppliers Foxconn (2317.TW) and Pegatron did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.

Reporting by Tanvi Mehta in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu

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