At Least One iPhone 14 Model Three Weeks Behind Schedule Due to China Lockdowns

Development of at least one iPhone 14 model is three weeks behind schedule due to Chinese lockdowns and in a worst case scenario could impact initial production volumes, according to a new report today.

iPhone 14 Mock pill and hole thumb
Despite an easing of restrictions, the impact of lockdowns beginning in late March in and around Shanghai is said to have had a lingering impact on supply chains, according to sources who spoke to Nikkei Asia.

"It is challenging to make up for the lost time. ... Apple and its suppliers are working around the clock to speed up development," said an executive with an Apple supplier, adding that the pace of reopening in Shanghai is "rather slow."

Apple has reportedly told suppliers to speed up product development efforts to make up for the lost time before the delay affects the typical manufacturing schedule, which could subsequently impact initial production volumes of the ‌iPhone‌ 14 series.

Apple is expected to launch four new ‌iPhone‌ models this year. After seeing lackluster ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini sales, Apple is offering larger ‌iPhone‌ sizes for its 2022 flagship devices: A 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ 14, a 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro, a 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ 14 Max, and a 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max.

It is not clear which model is being directly impacted by the delays caused by the lockdowns. Currently, all four ‌iPhone‌ 14 models are in the engineering verification test, or EVT, stage of development, according to Nikkei's sources. Normally, all new ‌iPhone‌ models complete the EVT and move on to the verification stage by the end of June.

Following the development phase of the new iPhones, Apple's primary assemblers Foxconn and Pegatron will enter into a phase known as new product introduction, or NPI, during which the manufacturing process is sketched out for the latest designs. NPI is followed by several verification processes before mass production begins, usually from around the end of August.

"If the development process can be sped up and proceed to the next level around the end of June or beginning of July, then it should still be possible to meet the mass production deadline of early September," another person familiar with the matter said. "But it really depends on whether the process can accelerate soon."

Production is said to have been hampered by restrictions still in place in terms of living and travel in the greater Shanghai area. The operation of the entire supply chain in China hasn't yet returned to normal, despite a relaxing of restrictions in Shanghai and its neighboring regions.

Chiu Shih-fang, a veteran supply chain analyst with the Taiwan Institute for Economic Research, told Nikkei the situation might not only affect the production but also new product development. "It would take at least one to two more months for the supply chain to recover," added Chiu.

Tag: Nikkei
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

George Dawes Avatar
40 months ago
That's the problem with relying on just one country for production , I thought Tim was so good at all this stuff. ???
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alpi123 Avatar
40 months ago

Seems like the differences between a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 vs a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro will confuse consumers more along with now a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max?

Why not just 3 phones rather then 4, if you get rid of the mini?
How is it confusing?

There's the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro. You only have to decide if you want a larger screen (- Max) or not.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
astorre Avatar
40 months ago
MR how about not using misleading pictures in your headlines?? I dont know if you have photos of iPhone 27 already, but that non-existing camera bump and tiny selfie camera are not gonna be on 14
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
40 months ago

As long as it's not the Pro Max
If the report is true. It may be the Pro Max due to a size changes :(
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
40 months ago
Great another year waiting longer, not sure why they are in lockdown the rest of the world is back to normal now
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
40 months ago

Not good. Hopefully the iPhone 14 isn't delayed like the iPhone 12 was.
I hope not. Launch of iPhone 12 was bad. The good thing is it's only one mode. Knowing Apple, I hope it's not the Pro Max models especially with a new color.

Remember this from last year...

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/09/29/iphone-13-production-issues-long-delivery-times/
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)