Reports are coming in from China, claiming that thousands of hopeful applicants are lining up outside of Foxconn’s Chengdu plant, waiting to apply for a position at the factory as summer hiring ramps up ahead of the rumored next-generation iPhone and smaller model iPad launches.
According to Chinese electronics blog M.I.C. Gadget, “thousands” of people gathered in front of Foxconn’s Chengdu plant to vie for a large number of “summer job” slots that have only one stipulation: applicants must have good eyesight.
Sources say that openings are available, but filling fast, and mention that a smaller “iPad mini” may be rolling off this assembly line. Previous reports had rumored that Foxconn’s Jundiai, Brazil plant would manufacture the rumored 7-inch tablet.
The Zhengzhou Foxconn factory is also hiring workers, and sources report the plant is currently producing next-generation iPhones, but on a very small scale. A source claims only five units were rolled out by a recent night shift of over 100 workers. The upcoming iPhone is said to be in the “trial production stage.”
Apple’s next-generation handset is expected to debut sometime this fall, with a rumored larger 4-inch display and “uni-body” chassis. A smaller version of the popular iPad is also rumored to be launched later this year, with rumors pointing to a 7-inch screen.
