Apple may postpone next huge iPhone launch due to coronavirus, report states

The coronavirus pandemic has actually currently required significant occasions such as the SXSW music and tech celebration and the Olympics to be canceled or postponed. Now — if a brand-new media report ends up being precise — Apple might wait a little bit longer to release its next iPhone. 

The brand-new iPhone, anticipated to be revealed in the fall, might be postponed, according to a report in Nikkei, which mentions confidential sources with “direct knowledge” of Apple’s internal conversations. Apple still might deal with supply chain concerns, due to China’s previously aggressive shutdowns to fight the infection, the sources stated. Also, Apple is worried that individuals might not be as delighted to update their phones in the middle of a pandemic.

Apple didn’t instantly react to an ask for remark.

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Whether Apple does ultimately delay its iPhone or not, the possible move indicates how much the coronavirus continues to impact businesses, in addition to people’s daily lives. Apple’s most important product is the iPhone, which accounts for about half the company’s revenues and a big chunk of its profit as well. Apple’s annual cadence of new iPhone releases in the fall has allowed the company to offer new technologies and take on rivals. It’s also pushed rivals such as Samsung to offer new technologies of their own, putting pressure on Apple to step up its game too.

This year, however, the tech industry will grapple with supply chain disruptions from China’s virus containment efforts, and a slowing economy across the globe as a result of lockdowns and sickness concerns. 

Worries about people’s slowing spending habits have already pushed the movie industry to delay big blockbusters, like the next James Bond film, and in some cases to test offering people the chance to rent newly released movies online for a little more than the cost of a theater ticket.

Whether tech companies will similarly choose to delay product launches, or change how they do business to adapt, remains to be seen.