Apple confirms iPhone delays due to covid cases in China

BEIJING – Apple Inc has warned customers of longer waits for their new iPhone models after COVID-19 restrictions were imposed at a contractor’s factory in central China.

The company’s announcement on Sunday found that the Foxconn-run factory in the central city of Zhengzhou “is operating at significantly reduced capacity.”

“We now expect lower deliveries of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max than we anticipated,” the company said. “Customers will have longer waiting times to receive their new products.”

Foxconn Technology Group previously said it imposed antivirus measures at the Zhengzhou factory after detecting covid-19 outbreaks. So far, Apple and Foxconn have not answered questions about how iPhone manufacturing might be affected.

Last week, access to the industrial zone in which the factory is located was cut off for a week after a spike in infections in Zhengzhou and the departure of workers from the plant.

The quarantine was supposed to further disrupt the pace of work at the plant, which in recent weeks had seen a wave of coronavirus infections and an exodus of workers, some of whom were left on their feet.

Foxconn said in a statement that it was lowering its forecast for this quarter due to the lockdown.

“Foxconn is now working with the government in a coordinated effort to eradicate the pandemic and resume full production as soon as possible,” the company said Monday.

The provincial government, he noted, said it would lend its “full support” to the company in preventing the infection and managing factory operations.

A “closed loop” system will restrict the movement of employees between their quarters and the factory area to reduce the risk of contagion, the company said in a post on the factory’s WeChat account.

The last quarter of the year is often a busy time for companies like Foxconn, which ramp up production ahead of holiday sales.

“We are working closely with our supplier to return to normal production levels while ensuring the health and safety of all workers,” Apple said.