iPad Production Could Be Hit by Power Outages Before Launch of New Models
iPad assembly plants in China may be impacted by power outages ahead of the launch of new models in the fall, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a tweet earlier today, Kuo commented on the effects of power outages in China's southwestern Sichuan province caused by industrial electricity rationing amid a severe heatwave.
Kuo said that the temporary power outage may affect iPad assembly facilities in Chengdu and Chongqing, operated by Foxconn and Compal. He added that it is "difficult to assess impacts on production currently," but its impact should be limited if the power outage can end on August 20. Flexible production scheduling could mitigate the effects of power outages, but it is not clear how iPad supplies may be hit if power does not return by August 20.
Kuo warned that similar incidents in the coming months could affect shipments of Apple's new devices going into the company's peak season when new products are released. Currently, next-generation iPad Pro models with MagSafe wireless charging capabilities, upgraded cameras, two new connectors, and the M2 chip, as well as the tenth-generation entry-level iPad with a new design and a USB-C port, are expected to be unveiled at an Apple event in October.
Popular Stories
Apple says iOS 16.4 is coming in the spring, which began this week. In his Sunday newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the update should be released "in the next three weeks or so," meaning a public release is likely in late March or early April.
iOS 16.4 remains in beta testing and introduces a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone. Below, we have recapped five new features ...
As previously rumored, the next-generation iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature a unified volume button and a mute button, according to leaked CAD images shared in a video on the Chinese version of TikTok and posted to Twitter by ShrimpApplePro.
Instead of separate buttons for volume up and volume down, the iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to have a single elongated button for...
The iOS 16.4 update that is set to be released to the public in the near future includes voice isolation for cellular calls, according to notes that Apple shared today.
Apple says that Voice Isolation will prioritize your voice and block out the ambient noise around you, making for clearer phone calls where you can better hear the person you're chatting with and vice versa.
Voice...
The iOS 16.4 release candidate version that was provided to developers today appears to hint at a new set of AirPods that could be coming in the near future. According to @aaronp613, the beta features references to AirPods that have a model number of A3048 and an AirPods case with a model number of A2968.
There have been no rumors that new AirPods are on the horizon, and it is early for...
Nothing today announced the launch of its second-generation wireless earbuds, the Nothing Ear (2), which offer many of the same features as Apple's AirPods Pro 2 at a lower price point. We went hands-on with the Ear (2) earbuds to see whether they're a viable alternative to the AirPods Pro 2 for those who want to save some cash.
The Ear (2) earbuds are the successor to the Nothing Ear (1),...
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the launch of the fourth betas. The RCs mark the final version of the software that will be provided to the public in the near future. Registered developers are able to download the iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates...
Apple is tracking the attendance of its employees at offices using badge records in order to ensure they are coming in at least three times a week, according to Platformer's Zoë Schiffer.
Since April 2022, Apple employees have been operating on a hybrid home/office work policy as part of a gradual return strategy following the pandemic, with staff required to work from the office at least...
While the iPhone 15 series is still around six months away from launching, there have already been plenty of rumors about the devices. Many new features and changes have been rumored for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max in particular.
Below, we have recapped 10 changes rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models that are not expected to be available on the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus:A1...
Top Rated Comments
"Industrial users across 19 out of 21 cities in the province were ordered to suspend production from Aug. 15 until Aug. 20 to prioritise residential power supply"
Basically they shut down some factories to save power because of the heatwave so high demand doesn't cause a power outage to residences. People having power at home is more important than getting an iPad made before the deadline...
This is also linked in the main MacRumors post
https://www.reuters.com/article/china-power-sichuan/update-1-chinas-sichuan-cuts-power-supply-to-industry-amid-power-crunch-idINL1N2ZR0FP
I know Apple’s already been shifting production of some things out of China things to Vietnam and other SE Asian countries, I wonder if that’s going to accelerate over the next couple years
Seems to me the only benefit to moving production to Vietnam would be kicking the globalization can down the road a bit longer.
Seems like the only right choice for the world is to manufacture things in countries that treat people like people, even though we then have to pay the price.
Vietnam doesn't have a big population for Apple to churn thru like they can in China. When it comes to India which has the churnable population, the labor costs are quite a bit more. And workers in Vietnam or China can't legally strike; Indian workers can, which may lead to even more increased labor costs and even downtime.
Apple's board is beholden to their shareholders. If Apple comes back with twice the increased manufacturing charges, the shareholders aren't going to be happy.
I want Apple to leave China when it comes to manufacturing. Unfortunately they won't for the reasons listed above. Apple exists to make as much money as they can.