Apple Expected to Delay iPhone 12 Launch Date by Months

iPhone 12 Pro and Apple Tag Trackers Credit: EverythingApplePro
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Don’t pin your hopes on getting an iPhone 12 this fall. According to a report from Nikkei, Apple may be delaying the launch of its next-generation iPhone. The report cites three sources who have knowledge of Apple’s plans.

Apple reportedly has discussed delaying the iPhone 12 launch by months due in part to consumer response. Apple is concerned customers may be hesitant to shell out money for a new iPhone when the economy is still recovering from the effects of the coronavirus.

“Supply chain constraint aside, Apple is concerned that the current situation would significantly lower consumer appetite to upgrade their phones, which could lead to a tame reception of the first 5G iPhone,” said a source with direct knowledge of the discussion. “They need the first ?5G iPhone? to be a hit.”

Nikkei

There may also be supply constraints that limit the company’s ability to manufacture phones in large enough quantities for a worldwide launch.

Travel restrictions allegedly have hindered the company’s ability to get prototypes into the hands of manufacturers, who have been asked to hold off on mass production until further notice.

“We have been notified to start shipping in big volumes to meet Apple’s new product launch by the end of August, instead of like in previous years, when it would be sometime in June,” said a supplier of components related to printed circuit boards. “The change was made very recently, and that could imply that the mass production of the phone could also be delayed for months.”

Nikkei

Given where Apple is in the engineering and manufacturing process, a delay is possible, though not a definite at this point,

Apple is supposedly waiting and watching until May before it makes a final decision on the timetable for the iPhone 12 launch.

The company may be waiting until the work from home order is lifted, and its staff can meet in person to make this critical decision.

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