China lockdown delays iPhone shipments

Apple customers may have to wait longer in buying the American company's latest mobile phone models: iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone Pro Max.

Delivery of the Apple products is facing delay as its assembly factory in China was forced to reduce operating capacity after workers fled the premises to avoid Covid-19 infection from co-workers who caught the disease, BBC New reported.

Chinese authorities already locked down Zhengzhou, where Foxconn's iPhone factory is located, on 2 November for seven days, according to BBC News.

The capital of Henan province with a population of 10 million recorded 3,683 cases and 22 deaths on Monday. Under China's zero-Covid policy, places of outbreaks are placed under strict lockdown.

"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," Apple said in a statement.

On Monday, the company offered workers who left the plant between 10 October and 5 November a one-time bonus of 500 yuan (US$69) if they return to work, BBC News said.

It is also offering a 30 yuan an hour pay increase.

The Taiwanese firm Foxconn, where 70 percent of iPhone shipments originate, said it is working with the Henan provincial government to control the outbreak and resume normal production as soon as possible.