After facing many delays in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s most iconic smartphone producers are ready to manufacture 5G iPhones coming mid-September. This delay is still a welcoming sign that things are returning to a sense of normalcy because it erases the fear that delays could move the iPhone’s production and release months instead of weeks.
It became apparent earlier this year that the company may be forced into delaying its production and some delay has come to fruition. Expect production targets to be missed with new estimates looking at a target of around 73 to 74 million from 80 million units, originally 100 million, for the year. The iPhone’s long-awaited 5G debut is taking longer than expected but there is plenty of intrigue. Apple is continuing to stay in front of consumers because while it is experiencing delays on its iPhones, it has increased its manufacturing capacity for iPads.
The devices are in high demand due to the influx of remote learning and working that is taking place throughout the United States and the world due to the pandemic. Ironically, iPads production is not experiencing the same delays that its predecessor the iPhone is working to overcome.
Apple is also unleashing a new product known as Airtag that is being produced as we speak. The new accessory is a clever device that allows consumers to tag non-Apple products that can share its location in the event a consumer were to misplace it. Even with this new device and the complications manufacturing the iPhone, Apple is seeing to it that its HomePod, MacBooks, and Watch products experience little to no issues even while updating their functionality.
Even as supply chain issues simmer down, the ongoing threat of COVID-19 continues to bring new and interesting hurdles for companies to jump. In the past, Apple has experienced manufacturing problems before and by implementing staff strategically in areas it needed to produce more phones, the company has a great record of overcoming such issues. Due to the restrictions that COVID-19 is bringing, including social distancing requirements, Apple is unable to place more workers in the appropriate areas to help bolster its production. This means that it will need to find new solutions to a problem it at one time had under control. The nature of Apple’s work is also shifting to more remote-working situations.
The company must also deal with an increase in the number of secretive deliveries surrounding samples for components and devices than it usually must conduct. Even testing, which is proving difficult for many organizations, is taking a hit due to the restrictions that COVID-19 is forcing workforces into adapting to. 5G iPhones are manufactured in China which is seeing increased scrutiny from the American government but with the upcoming holiday season and demand for new, 5G ready devices, Apple is hoping that despite the decrease in production, it can still produce and distribute a fair amount of devices this year and beyond.
Source: Nikkei