Foxconn Executive Speaks to Difficulty of iPhone 5 Assembly - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Foxconn Executive Speaks to Difficulty of iPhone 5 Assembly

Following word that increased quality control standards for the iPhone 5 assembly process have slowed Foxconn's production and increased stress on workers, The Wall Street Journal shares comments from an unnamed Foxconn executive explaining the difficulty in assembling the device.

“The iPhone 5 is the most difficult device that Foxconn has ever assembled. To make it light and thin, the design is very complicated,” said an official at the company who declined to be named. “It takes time to learn how to make this new device. Practice makes perfect. Our productivity has been improving day by day.”

The executive also addressed the scratching issues that have reportedly been the cause of the increased quality control standards, noting that it is "always hard to satisfy both aesthetic needs and practical needs."

iphone 5 teardown complete
Completed teardown of iPhone 5 (Source: iFixit)

The executive also acknowledged tensions between production line staff and quality control inspectors, but declined to offer additional information on the situation that was initially reported as a strike by several thousand workers but later denied by Foxconn.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

11 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 18 Pro

Monday May 11, 2026 9:01 am PDT by
We're only four months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a sea change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year, adopting a...
iOS 26

iOS 26.5 Features: Everything New in iOS 26.5

Monday May 11, 2026 5:09 pm PDT by
Apple released iOS 26.5 after a few months of beta testing, and while it doesn't have the Siri features we were hoping for since those are being held until iOS 27, there are a handful of useful changes worth knowing about. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. End-to-End Encryption for RCS Support for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and...
General Apps Reddit Feature

Reddit Starts Blocking Mobile Website, Pushing Users to App Instead

Monday May 11, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Social network Reddit recently began blocking mobile visitors to its website while pushing them to download the official Reddit app, and it's fair to say that the move is not going down well with users. If you visit reddit.com on your iPhone today, you may see a new popup that can't be dismissed, asking you to "get the app to keep using Reddit." A Reddit spokesperson told Ars Technica...

Top Rated Comments

Tobias Funke Avatar
177 months ago
Having inexperienced 14 year old kids on the assembly lines doesn't help either.

Did you see this when you visited the factory yourself ??
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
177 months ago
While I do not condone child labour, the conditions at factories are at least humane. There is opportunity. Not every country is as fortunate as many of us; sitting where we are. Developing nations are developing.

While we sit on our high horse of justice, fail to see the true effects of our demands. What if that 14 year old's family couldn't afford an education. The problem stems much deeper than a simple employer-employee relationship.
What if, just what if, the 14 year old child that you indirectly-fired by your out cries has now cost that family there whole income. Mum is sick and dad has left her before she could even walk.

Before I get insulted and attacked, please just watch this talk from TED:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_kristine_glimpses_of_modern_day_slavery.html

Please focus your efforts on real problems, not those brought to the surface by front page coverage on newspapers.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
177 months ago
Did you see this when you visited the factory yourself ??
Why would he have to visit the factory? Foxconn has recently confirmed themselves that they have underage workers.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
177 months ago
yep

Having inexperienced 14 year old kids on the assembly lines doesn't help either.

Steve Jobs phoned HP when he was 13, asking to have the chance to work at HP during summer time. That was his beginning in the industry

BUT, if that happens in China, then we are exploting them...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
177 months ago
Plastic Film

Other manufacturers put a plastic film as protection during manufacturing, usually the first thing you peal of your electronics when you get them.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
177 months ago
Having inexperienced 14 year old kids on the assembly lines doesn't help either.

I live in México and there are 14-year old kids working in the tortilla factory next door. Call the cops! And boycott their tortillas!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)