A Nikkei report this week suggested that Apple was considering a delay to iPhone 12 production, meaning the company would no longer hit the usual September timing. But some iPhone suppliers say there is no sign of a delay, and specifically take issue with one of Nikkei’s claims.
Taiwanese printed circuit board (PCB) suppliers say that they continue to work to the original schedule, with no word from Apple on a possible delay …
Digitimes carries the report.
It should be noted that the two reports are not necessarily contradictory. Nikkei said only that Apple was discussing the idea, not that any decision had been made.
Taiwan’s PCB makers in the supply chain of 5G iPhones have denied reports claiming they have been asked to postpone volume production by two months in line with a likely launch delay for Apple’s new-generation devices amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to industry sources.
Apple would obviously not inform suppliers until a decision has been made.
The Cupertino, California-based tech giant has held internal discussions on the possibility of delaying the launch by months, three people familiar with the matter said, while supply chain sources say practical hurdles could push back the release, originally scheduled for September.
The Nikkei report itself contained contradictory claims, on the one hand stating:
And on the other hand:
Today’s report specifically denies that second claim.
Personally, my money would be on a delay to iPhone 12 production and launch, for both supply and demand reasons.
Given the complexity of Apple’s supply-chain, it would only take a delay in one tiny component to put the schedule at risk. It would seem safer to delay now than risk a mess later.
On the demand side, signs are pointing to coronavirus lockdowns lasting months rather than weeks. The financial uncertainty that creates for consumers seems likely to severely dent sales prospects for an expensive piece of consumer electronics.
Render: Letsgodigital
