Apple’s upcoming “iPhone 12” lineup is facing delays in mass production between four weeks and two months. The delays are caused by factory lockdown and workplace absenteeism during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, says a new report from Nikkei Asian Review.
“What the progress looks like now is months of delay in terms of mass production, but Apple is doing everything it can to shorten the postponement. There’s a chance that the schedule could still be moved ahead,” one source told Nikkei.
“Some final iPhone assembly could be delayed to early October, and it wouldn’t be surprising if there are further delays because there are still a lot of tests going on now and the final designs have not yet been locked down,” the person said.
The report says Apple has been aggressive in attempting to cut delays and is now less likely to postpone the launch of the iPhone 12 until next year, which was a possibility as recently as March.
Apple has reportedly asked its supply partners to build more than 45 million iPhone XR, iPhone 11, and iPhone SE units for distribution during the second half of 2020, as a way to ensure iPhones are available in case of delays to the new 2020 models.
Apple is expected to unveil four new iPhone 12 models later this year, including a new 5.4-inch device, two 6.1-inch models, and one 6.7-inch handset.