The Covid-19 finally seized the well-oiled mechanics of iPhone production. Traditionally, year after year, Apple unveils its new smartphone models in mid-September, during its back-to-school keynote. This meeting is not called into question but the arrival of the devices unveiled on the shelves is suspended from the production capacities of the Asian factories that assemble them.
According to information from the Wall Street Journal, Apple has decided to postpone the launch of mass production of the iPhone 12. Suppliers of components such as assembly lines would not be ready to start production as planned.
An iPhone, for example, contains an OLED screen made by Samsung in South Korea, the second country most affected by the virus in Asia, or in Vietnam. Other parts, such as processors or electronic circuits, are supplied by Taiwanese or Chinese specialists, who have been idling for several months.
Chinese factories slowly restart
Finally, assembly is carried out by the giant Foxconn factories, some of which are located in the megalopolis of Shenzhen, the third region most affected by the virus in China.
It should only start in July and last until September, according to the benchmark economic daily. This delay will also delay the delivery of iPhone pallets to resellers, a few days after the official announcements.
The most likely scenario remains just-in-time production, which could cause a shortage of aircraft just before the holiday season. A crucial period for smartphone sales.
The market expected 4 new models with different screen sizes and connectivity to the new 5G network.
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Apple recently launched a more affordable but less innovative phone, the iPhone SE, whose production and stocks have not, at first glance, suffered from the current crisis.
