Apple warns: China lockdown delays new iPhone 14 production

The announcement no Apple fan wanted to hear. The American giant recently announced that it expects "lower than planned" shipments of the new iPhone 14. All due to a lockdown imposed in the area of the world's largest iPhone factory, in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, after a COVID-19 outbreak.

The world's largest iPhone factory is the reason for the delay in the production of the new iPhone 14. This Foxconn factory, located in the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone, capital of Henan province, in central China, is paralyzed. Local authorities sealed off access to the area, prohibiting any entry or exit for at least a week, after Foxconn employees fled the facilities. The only exceptions are the delivery of food and health equipment.

This situation thwarts Apple's ambitions to accelerate production lines, with the holiday season in mind, as this factory produces four of the five latest models of the giant led by Tim Cook.

The consequence of this imposed lockdown? “Customers will have to wait longer to receive their new products. As we have done since the beginning of the pandemic, we are prioritizing the health and safety of workers in our supply chain,” Apple warned.

Foxconn, Apple's main supplier, has been facing an increase in COVID-19 cases at its industrial complex in Zhengzhou, which employs almost 300,000 people, since October. More than 90% of Apple's products are manufactured in China, which is also one of the company's main markets.