Best iPhones might be difficult to buy this holiday season

After the health emergency, it is a fact that it has been difficult to purchase many electronic products in the last two years, from game consoles to automobiles, and the supply chain problems are not over. What’s more, even Apple could not be spared this time, and most likely this holiday season, your favorite model or color will not be available.

Apple has recently confirmed that its main iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max factory has been affected by COVID-19 restrictions and added that it is now working on significantly reduced capacity.

Hence, the Zhengzhou plant had to stop any manufacturing process, ending up by delaying worldwide shipments. As a result, many users will have to wait during the whole holiday season to get the latest iPhone.

Apple plant deals with a COVID-19 blockage

The news was announced days after the Zhengzhou, China, facility was reported to be in the midst of a COVID-19 outbreak that had also affected the surrounding business park. 

Hence, local officials stepped in to ensure that the closures were enforced, for as we know, the pandemic is still wreaking havoc around the world, but China is one of the only countries in the world that still uses a radical zero-tolerance approach to the virus and its spread.

An unusual problem

While Foxconn had claimed that the impact on manufacturing capacity at its 300,000-worker plant was minimal and tried to prevent workers from fleeing the lockout with the help of extra bonuses, the shortage of products was all too evident.

Thus, Apple noted that it continues to see strong demand for its high-end iPhones and that customers will experience longer wait times to receive their new products than previously expected.

Therefore, despite currently operating at significantly reduced capacity, as one of the plants that accounts for more than half of Apple’s annual iPhone sales, its partial shutdown remains disastrous, and shipping and delivery times for phones around the world will be delayed.

Zhengzhou plant

Under normal conditions, the Zhengzhou plant is capable of producing up to 500,000 iPhone handsets per day, and at the moment, it is working hard with Apple to “return to normal production levels and ensure the health and safety of all workers.” 

The iPhone 14 line went on sale in September, and since then, it has been difficult to find stock of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. For those hoping to buy a phone for the holiday season, this latest news will be particularly troubling, while Apple could feel the effects in what is traditionally a profitable quarter.

By the way, if you don’t know why this device is having so much success, you can take a look at this article that includes all the characteristics of the newest iPhone and we assure you that you’ll love it.

For the time being, anyone looking to buy Apple’s best iPhone or any of its newer models will face difficulties in doing so. Consequently, there’s nothing left to do but be patient. Either way, we know that Apple is a committed company, although the fact that even with these health conditions it keeps much of its staff working is very risky.