Apple’s next smartwatch is reportedly facing production delays, according to two separate reports from Nikkei and Bloomberg.
According to Nikkei, the delay is related to the “complicated designs” of Apple Watch Series 7, which began small-scale production last week, citing unnamed sources. There were issues putting together electronics modules, components and displays, says Nikkei.
The complexities have resulted in a temporary halt in production, say four unnamed sources, as Apple and its suppliers try to solve the issues. Apple Watch Series 7 will include new features such as blood pressure monitoring, and new components being fit into the same watch size is posing a problem.
“All assemblers are facing similar problems in reaching satisfactory production performance based on the current industrial designs,” one unnamed source was quoted as saying.
COVID-19 has made it hard for Apple and its suppliers to verify new specifications due to limited travel, thus making it hard to find problems during production. Apple and its suppliers are working “around the clock” to solve the issues”, said a source.
Bloomberg corroborated the Nikkei report, saying delays were due to the new design of Apple Watch Series 7, as manufacturers adjust production for the new smartwatch.
Apple Watch Series 7 is said to have a slightly larger display and revamped design, expected to debut possibly in September.
