Apple warns of iPhone delays as China imposes COVID restrictions on factory | World News

Apple is warning customers they will have to wait longer for the latest iPhone models after COVID restrictions were imposed on a contractor’s factory in central China.

The company announcement gave no details but said the factory, operated by Foxconn in the central city of Zhengzhou, is “operating at significantly reduced capacity”.

“We now expect lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments than we previously anticipated,” Apple said.

“Customers will experience longer wait times to receive their new products.”

Foxconn Technology Group said earlier it imposed anti-virus measures on the factory following virus outbreaks.

Apple and Foxconn previously hadn’t responded to questions about how iPhone production might be affected.

Last week, access to the industrial zone where the factory is located was suspended for one week following a surge in coronavirus infections in Zhengzhou and the departure of workers from the factory.

The lockdown is expected to cause further disruptions to the plant.

Foxconn said in a statement that it is revising its outlook for this quarter downward due to the lockdown.

“Foxconn is now working with the government in a concerted effort to stamp out the pandemic and resume production to its full capacity as quickly as possible,” the company said on Monday.

It also said that the provincial government has said it will “fully support” Foxconn in managing the plant’s pandemic prevention and operation situation.

In a post on the Zhengzhou plant’s WeChat social media account on Sunday, the company said a “closed loop” system would restrict its employees’ travel between their dormitories and the factory area to manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

“We are working closely with our supplier to return to normal production levels while ensuring the health and safety of every worker,” Apple said.