This article may contain affiliate links. Learn more on our Partner Program page.
Reports about a postponement of the iPhone 12 market launch have been dominating the rumor mill for a few days. Now there is a new report that the start of production of the new iPhone 12 series has actually been postponed.
A few days ago, the Japanese news site Nikkei Asian Review reported that Apple is considering postponing the iPhone 12 market launch. DigiTimes published a report denying these plans. But now Reuters has followed suit with new information from the supply chain. In the new report, Reuters cites statements from a senior official at one of Apple's largest manufacturers. He claims that Apple's orders will likely decline by 18 percent in the second quarter compared to the previous year. At the same time, he noted that the start of production of the iPhone 12 series "has been postponed." However, a fall release is still not out of the question. The report:
A senior official at one of Apple's biggest manufacturers said Apple's orders for the quarter ending in March are likely to fall 181% from a year ago. The production ramp-up for new phones that work with next-generation 5G networks has been delayed, this person said, although it's still possible the 5G phones could launch in the fall as planned.
Start in 2021 not excluded
The reason for this delay, however, is not problems in the supply chain but concerns about demand for the iPhone 12 series. Accordingly, today's report confirms the Nikkei articleHe also contradicts DigiTimes, which does not have as great a track record as Reuters and Nikkei. Reuters writes:
No one is talking about labor or material shortages (in China) anymore. Now everyone is watching to see if demand from the US and Europe can keep up," said the person with direct knowledge of the matter. "The focus now is on consumer demand in the US and Europe."
According to this, Apple actually seems to be considering postponing the iPhone 12 launch due to the Corona crisis. And to be honest, that wouldn't be so bad, given the current situation. Nikkei's source itself explained that a final decision will not be made until May. If Apple decides to postpone, the new iPhone lineup could, at worst, be released in early 2021. What do you think about that? Would you be in favor of a postponement? Write it to us in the comments. (Photo by hadrian / Bigstockphoto)
