Apple extended its delay for iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max orders in China later than Christmas, weeks longer than orders made in the past months. The delayed orders were caused by several lockdowns implemented in Zhengzhou, China, which affected Apple's major supplier, Foxconn Technology Group, to resume their production for these models.

(Photo : BRITTANY HOSEA-SMALL/AFP via Getty Images)
The new iPhone 14 Pros and 14 Pro Max are on display at an Apple event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on September 7, 2022. - Apple unveiled several new products including a new iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. They also released three Apple watches and new AirPods Pros during the event. (Photo by Brittany Hosea-Small / AFP) (Photo by BRITTANY HOSEA-SMALL/AFP via Getty Images)

iPhone 14 Pro & iPhone Pro Max Orders

Apple China has extended the waiting time for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max orders in China. When users placed an order for these variants, the website shows five to six weeks of waiting time with January 3rd, 2023 as its latest delivery. This waiting time is longer than it took for November for a week, while two weeks longer than October orders.  

While all of the Apple devices are affected by these lockdowns, the base models iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are available for same-day delivery or in-store pickup when users placed an order on their website. This was not a surprise as the 14 Pro variants had the longest lead across all regions and are considered Apple's most popular models released this year. 

Based on a report from South China Morning Post, the main reason for the delays is because of production problems rooted in Covid-19 lockdowns implemented in Zhengzhou, China. This is where Foxconn Technology Group, Apple's major supplier, currently resides. Adding to this, a lot of its employees have departed from the company as the cases are rising quickly because of the outbreak. 

Because of these reasons, Apple warned the public about the delays in iPhone 14 deliveries. The company stated that "The facility at Foxconn's Zhengzhou facility is currently operating at significantly reduced capacity. We now expect lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments than we previously anticipated." 

As of now, Foxconn in Zhengzhou needs to increase its workforce up to 100,000 workers for it to proceed with full production capacity. During the company's peak, the Chinese facility employed 300,000 assembly line workers.  

Also Read: Foxconn Imposes a Hiring Freeze as Influx of New Workers Triggers a Quarantine Space Shortage

Government's Help

Government officials in China are trying to help the facility hire more workers. According to a report from The New York Times, the government's vast network of party members, civil servants, and military veterans were sought out by the government to help Foxconn with its recruitment.  

Foreign and local businesses have been struggling lately in the country because of implemented policies that cause lockdowns of facilities, quarantines, and almost daily tests to detect cases. Because of these measures, manufacturers are trying to look for other countries as they plan to relocate their production to Vietnam and India.  

Chinese Military & Technology Expert Adam Segal stated that the government's move to help Foxconn is a great irony. "It's clearly reflective of the sorry state of the economy and the worry that Apple and others may relocate," he added. 

Related Article: China Confirms its First Covid-19 Fatality Since May

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Written by Inno Flores