The COVID-19 lockdown in China seems to be taking its toll on Apple iPhone 14 production.
Due to the lockdown in China, the development of at least one iPhone 14 model is three weeks behind schedule. According to MacRumors, the worst case scenario could potentially impact initial production volumes.
According to Apple Insider, the unexpected lockdown closures of key Apple suppliers in Shanghai together with the impact on transport around the region, have caused the delay.
In an attempt to speed up the process and get back on schedule, Apple is reportedly working with its suppliers.
Apple is Attempting to Speed Up Product Development
To make up for the lost time before the delay affects the typical manufacturing schedule, Apple has reportedly told suppliers to accelerate product development efforts, as per MacRumors report.
This could later on have an effect on the initial production volumes of the iPhone 14 series.
It is already expected that Apple will be launching the four new iPhone models this year. The company 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.
There is no information yet as to which model is being directly affected by the delays caused by the lockdowns. According to Nikkei's sources, all four iPhone 14 models are currently in the engineering verification test, or EVT, stage of development,.
Typically, by the end of June, all new iPhone models must have completed the EVT and move on to the verification stage.
Right after 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, according to MacRumors. During this stage, the manufacturing process is sketched out for the latest designs.
Several verification processes should follow NPI before mass production begins. This should happen around the end of August.
A person familiar with the matter said: "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."
However, everything really depends on whether the process can speed up soon.
Read Also: Silicon Valley Tech Hub of China Halts Production; Will This Mean Delay for the iPhone 14?
The iPhone 14 series: What Do We Know So Far
Here's what to expect when Apple unveils the next-generation of premium iPhones. This year there won't be a mini iPhone 14. There will only be 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.
Expect a next-gen A16 Bionic chip for the Pro-branded iPhone 14 models, while the non-Pro iPhone 14 and 14 Max will sport the A15 Bionic, the chip that's currently powering the iPhone 13 series.
This move of Apple could be due to an attempt of the company to make the distinction between the Pro and non-Pro iPhones a bit more noticeable.
Expect the four iPhone 14 to retain a similar iPhone-13-esque design on the back. But the Pro models will reportedly sport a pill and hole cutout shape to replace the notch.
According to rumors, the four flagship phones are likely to be unveiled on September 13.
Related Article: COVID-19 Outbreak Leads to Lockdown of iPhone City | What is its Impact on iPhone Production?
