It’s thought that Apple’s iPhone 14 production schedule is still on track.
Following a report from early this week stating that Apple and its suppliers were struggling with iPhone 14 production given COVID-19 lockdowns in China, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has tweeted that despite that, Apple’s shipping plan for iPhone 14 models is still on track.
Kuo offered the following regarding the iPhone Max:
My latest channelk checks suggest that Apple has not changed the shipping plan for the iPhone 14 models since the Shanghai lockdown. iPhone 14 Max is running behind, but it’s still under control currently, and suppliers can work overtime to catch up with the schedule.
He also offered the following regarding the Apple and its situation with its suppliers regarding China’s zero-COVID policy with strict lockdowns.
I believe iPhone 14’s challenges will come from the demand side instead of the supply side.
Bloomberg also weighed in, stating that Apple’s iPhone production plans for 2022 are said to be around 220 million units, some 20 million units lower than the consensus estimates of analysts. It would also represent zero growth in 2021:
The company is asking suppliers to assemble roughly 220 million iPhones, about the same as last year, according to people familiar with its projections, who asked not to be named as they’re not public. Market forecasts have hovered closer to 240 million units, driven by an expected major update to the iPhone in the fall […]
Though the Chinese lockdowns are poised to take a major toll on Apple this quarter, the company expects to manage the turbulence, one of the people said. Foxconn Technology Group, Apple’s main iPhone manufacturer, has been able to keep most facilities running. That includes its largest groups of factories in the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou.
Given that the iPhone 14’s anticipated launch is still several months away, things may change. Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via 9to5Mac, Bloomberg, and @mingchikuo