It had to happen and now Apple has also confirmed it. Customers who have ordered Apple’s premium smartphones – iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max – may have to wait a little longer for the delivery as the tech giant has confirmed a delay in shipment from China. In a statement, Apple said the COVID restrictions in central China have “temporarily affected” production at the Foxconn plant.
“COVID-19 restrictions have temporarily affected the primary iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max assembly facility located in Zhengzhou, China. The facility is currently operating at a significantly reduced capacity. As we battle the COVID-19 pandemic During this time, we are prioritizing the health and safety of workers in our supply chain,” the tech giant said.
Apple said they continue to drive strong demand for Pro iPhone models. “We continue to see strong demand for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models. However, we now expect lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments and customers will need to take longer to receive our new products. The wait times will be experienced by the time,” Apple said.
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The company said they are working closely with their supplier to return to normal production levels ‘while ensuring the health and safety of every employee’.
It may be recalled that China has imposed strict restrictions in Zhengzhou district, which houses the Foxconn plant. Earlier, reports claimed that workers were seen running away from the factory to escape the Covid lockdown.
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Foxconn is China’s largest private sector employer. The company employs over one million people in 30 factories and research institutes across the country.
China is also working to move its business out of China to reduce its dependence on Foxconn and thus has started assembling the iPhone 14 in India as well.