Apple Inc has told its suppliers to accelerate the development of the iPhone 14 after China’s strict shutdown of COVID-19 disrupted at least one new phone system, Nikkei reported on Wednesday, citing several sources familiar with the matter.
The closure due to China’s zero-COVID policy led to the merger of iPhone Pegatron Corp to suspend operations at its Shanghai and Kunshan plants earlier this year.
Shanghai’s financial center is still severely damaged by the closure of the city, which is now in its seventh week, and Beijing has intensified its closure efforts.
Apple last month predicted serious problems as the closure of COVID-19 sparked production and demand in China, and the Ukrainian war adds to the plight of iPhone makers.
In the worst case scenario, Apple expects the manufacturing process and the initial production volume of new phones to be damaged, reports Nikkei’s daily business report.
Foxconn declined to comment on the matter, and Apple and Pegatron did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.
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