Apple has removed Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Pegatron from its mixed-reality headset supply chain. DigiTimes reports Pegatron is believed to have been the exclusive assembly partner for the headset.
The paywalled DigiTimes report says Apple told Pegatron to hand over its manufacturing and assembly duties to Chinese assembly partner Luxshare. The transition reportedly occurred in March. The report suggests the change could have been related to Pegatron moving some of its production capacity from China to other regions. Pegatron had sold its Shanghai factory to Luxshare.
The report also includes a rumor that Apple’s first mixed-reality headset device will see a delay in mass production until June. The model, which was originally drawn and designed by Pegatron, will be used by Luxshare for manufacturing and final assembly.
Luxshare’s manufacturing takeover marks the first time in Apple history that a Chinese company will be solely responsible for the manufacture and assembly of a new Apple product at launch. Apple devices are usually first manufactured and assembled by Taiwanese companies before gradually transitioning to production by Chinese firms.
Luxshare manufactures Apple’s AirPods, as well as several Apple Watch and iPhone models. It is also expected to be involved in iPhone 15 Pro Max production as well as assisting in MacBook production and possibly Apple’s much-rumored electric vehicle.
