Apple on Sunday told consumers that it expects iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments to be lower than had been expected due to temporary COVID-19 restrictions at the Zhengzhou, China Foxconn factory where the handsets are assembled.
The warning was shared on the Apple Newsroom site:
COVID-19 restrictions have temporarily impacted the primary iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max assembly facility located in Zhengzhou, China. The facility is currently operating at significantly reduced capacity. As we have done throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prioritizing the health and safety of the workers in our supply chain.
We continue to see strong demand for iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models. However, we now expect lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments than we previously anticipated and customers will experience longer wait times to receive their new products.
We are working closely with our supplier to return to normal production levels while ensuring the health and safety of every worker.
A report last week indicated that employee issues at the Zhengzhou plant could cause iPhone production output to fall as much as 30%.
China’s zero-COVID policy requires Chinese cities to quell outbreaks by using restrictions, and workers have been attempting to return home to avoid being trapped at the factory if the lockdown increases.
On November 2, the Chinese government ordered a one-week lockdown for an industrial area where the Foxconn factory is situated following a COVID-19 outbreak.
