Apple's iPhone development timeline has been pushed back due to Chinese restrictions

Images: Reuters Berita 24 English - According to various sources familiar with the situation, Apple Inc has instructed its suppliers to spee...

Images: Reuters

Berita 24 English - According to various sources familiar with the situation, Apple Inc has instructed its suppliers to speed up iPhone development after China's tight COVID-19 lockdowns delayed the timeline for at least one of the new phones.

iPhone manufacturer Pegatron Corp had to shut down its Shanghai and Kunshan plants earlier this year owing to China's zero-COVID regulation.

Shanghai's financial core remains virtually paralyzed by a city-wide lockdown in its seventh week, although Beijing has increased quarantine efforts.

Last month, Apple predicted worsening challenges as China's COVID-19 lockdowns stymied manufacturing and demand, exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine.

Apple's manufacturing timeline and initial production volumes of the new phones are expected to be harmed in the worst-case scenario, according to the Nikkei business daily.

Apple and Pegatron did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment, while Foxconn declined to comment.