It might be harder to get the iPhone you want given the current situation in Chia.
As the labor and protest scenarios continue to worsen given GOVID-19 lockdowns, civil disobedience has erupted due to people’s frustrations about the zero-COVID policy. As a result, Apple stands to lose around 6 million units of iPhone production in China.
Per Bloomberg, turmoil has erupted recently at Apple’s key manufacturing hub in Zhengzhou that could lily result in a production shortfall of roughly six million iPhone Pro and iPhone Max units this year. Foxconn, Apple’s manufacturing partner for the premium iPhones, has been affected by the worsening COVID-19 lockdowns within China. While the Bloomberg article said the situation remains fluid and could change for a variety of reasons, this did not stop Apple from lowering its iPhone production target to about 87 million devices. Previously, the company estimated to produce 90 million iPhone units this year.
At this stage, Foxconn must quickly get its workers back to the assembly lines. Last week, workers staged a violent protest against COVID-19 restrictions. This came alongside worsening conditions outside of the Foxconn plant. Reports said that protest actions were held in Shanghai due to people’s frustrations over restrictive COVID-19 measures and the government’s zero-COVID policy. According to Reuters, an unprecedented wave of civil disobedience has surfaced, complete with protestors voicing frustrations over President Xi’s zero-COVID policy.
As of now, Foxconn is the key manufacturer for its more in-demand iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max handsets. With the onset of the holiday shopping season, users often upgrade their iPhones, and Apple is likely to experience supply constraints.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via The Mac Observer, Bloomberg, and Reuters