Apple Is Handing Off More Responsibility To Its Engineers In China

New reports have revealed that as a result of increased border restrictions in China, Apple has opened its engineers based in China to more responsibilities. These responsibilities include managing its hardware manufacturing processes which weren’t Apple’s practice before. Before the pandemic which opened China up to border restrictions, Apple will frequently fly its US-based engineers to China to oversee and manage innovation and product development in the country. Reports according to The Wall Street Journal said Apple’s new practice is a result of increased border restrictions due to the presence of COVID-19 in China.

However, despite the restriction on the border, reports still say Apple’s US-based engineers are remotely involved with managing efforts put into product development. Technical experts of the phone maker have had to explore the use of technology, like live-streaming and augmented-reality tools to remotely follow up on production floors to communicate and check factory issues. “Key decisions” and product design as reported still take place primarily at Apple’s headquarters, Cupertino, California.

For so long, Apple has stood on top, especially on supply chain and timely delivery of new products, this has been attributed to the manufacturing factories it relies on, which are located in China. The global chip shortage and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 which have resulted in multiple restrictions in China continue to adversely affect the company’s operations. Apple CEO Tim Cook has said in the company’s Q2 earnings call that it expects a revenue hit “in the range of $4 billion to $8 billion” in the current quarter.

Reports making round have revealed that Apple is looking to churn out many new products this year. These new products include a redesigned MacBook Air, the iPhone 14 lineup, and the second-generation AirPods Pro. It’s unconfirmed if the MacBook Air will have an M1 or M2 processor. It is also unconfirmed if the development of these Apple products has slowed down as a result of the pandemic or is normal given the technological adjustment. However, if the restrictions in China persist chances are Apple may be forced to relax its deadlines and release some of these products later than expected.