Travel restrictions could be throwing iPhone 12 preparations off track, claims ex-employee
Travel restrictions could be throwing iPhone 12 preparations off track, according to an ex-employee who claims Apple’s usual pre-production schedule could be in jeopardy as a result of the prolonged factory closures in China, reports Reuters.
During this time in the year, Apple is usually working closely with factories across China as they ready assembly lines for the year’s new iPhone models, perfecting manufacturing methods and performing final engineering validation tests.
However, with many airlines suspending flights to China and Apple enforcing restrictions on employee travel, a former Apple employee has warned it “could be bad” if Apple’s engineers haven’t been able to meet up with Foxconn staff in China to plan production of the new iPhone models.
They probably have one assembly line they’re trying things out on, said one of the former employees who asked not to be named discussing production matters. Are Apple’s engineers with the Foxconn engineers? If they are, they’re probably making progress. But if they’re not, if they’re quarantined, that could be bad.
Reuters say delays at this stage in the process could lead to delays in finalizing orders for iPhone components, ultimately resulting in a shortage of parts when the devices enter mass production later in the year.
One person familiar with Apple’s process told Reuters that it’s “very complicated” and there are “so many variables in the environment.” At this moment in time, it is believed iPhone 12 production is still on track despite the restrictions however, the longer restrictions are in place the higher the chance Apple will encounter issues further down the line.