iPad Production Could Be Hit by Power Outages Before Launch of New Models - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

iPad Production Could Be Hit by Power Outages Before Launch of New Models

iPad assembly plants in China may be impacted by power outages ahead of the launch of new models in the fall, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

iPad Pro Big Ol Logo Orange
In a tweet earlier today, Kuo commented on the effects of power outages in China's southwestern Sichuan province caused by industrial electricity rationing amid a severe heatwave.

Kuo said that the temporary power outage may affect ‌iPad‌ assembly facilities in Chengdu and Chongqing, operated by Foxconn and Compal. He added that it is "difficult to assess impacts on production currently," but its impact should be limited if the power outage can end on August 20. Flexible production scheduling could mitigate the effects of power outages, but it is not clear how ‌iPad‌ supplies may be hit if power does not return by August 20.

Kuo warned that similar incidents in the coming months could affect shipments of Apple's new devices going into the company's peak season when new products are released. Currently, next-generation iPad Pro models with MagSafe wireless charging capabilities, upgraded cameras, two new connectors, and the M2 chip, as well as the tenth-generation entry-level ‌iPad‌ with a new design and a USB-C port, are expected to be unveiled at an Apple event in October.

Related Roundups: iPad, iPad Pro
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

iPad Pro 2024 vs Air 2024 Feature

Three New iPads Rumored to Launch in First Half of 2027

Sunday November 1, 2026 7:27 am PST by
After announcing a new iPad mini with an OLED display earlier this month, Apple plans to release new iPad Air, iPad Pro, and entry-level iPad models in the first half of 2027, according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the next iPad Air will also feature an OLED display, while he expects the next iPad Pro to be equipped with a...
iPad mini 7 Review Thumb 1 sans text

Apple Raises iPad and Mac Trade-In Values

Monday October 26, 2026 8:17 am PDT by
Apple today updated its U.S. trade-in estimates, raising maximum values across the iPad lineup and for most Macs following today's announcement of the new iPad mini. Every iPad category has gained value, although the increases are relatively modest. The iPad mini and standard iPad both rise by $20, while the iPad Air gains $15 and the iPad Pro increases by $10. The revised maximum estimates...
new ipad cyber

New Entry-Level iPad Not Expected Until Early 2027

Sunday October 11, 2026 8:57 am PDT by
Apple's next entry-level iPad models, codenamed J581 and J582, will not arrive until early 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He added that Apple plans a major iPad Air refresh to add an OLED display and a new iPad Pro in 2027. The latter could gain a vapor chamber to improve thermals and performance. A new iPad mini is still expected to arrive at the end of October this...

Top Rated Comments

russell_314 Avatar
55 months ago
The headline is a bit misleading and their take on the Reuters article is confusing.

"Industrial users across 19 out of 21 cities in the province were ordered to suspend production from Aug. 15 until Aug. 20 to prioritise residential power supply"

Basically they shut down some factories to save power because of the heatwave so high demand doesn't cause a power outage to residences. People having power at home is more important than getting an iPad made before the deadline...

This is also linked in the main MacRumors post

https://www.reuters.com/article/china-power-sichuan/update-1-chinas-sichuan-cuts-power-supply-to-industry-amid-power-crunch-idINL1N2ZR0FP
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
55 months ago
The politics that dominate discussions of production locations aside it seems like there’s been, for a variety of more mundane reasons, an increase in major production problems in China lately.

I know Apple’s already been shifting production of some things out of China things to Vietnam and other SE Asian countries, I wonder if that’s going to accelerate over the next couple years
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
55 months ago
This type of thing is only going to get worse as time goes by. We're still in the early stages.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
55 months ago
Hopefully normal production can resume soon and there will not be any delay in new product launches.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
55 months ago

Where do you find a workforce which can handle Apple's demand and can work for peanuts?

Vietnam doesn't have a big population for Apple to churn thru like they can in China. When it comes to India which has the churnable population, the labor costs are quite a bit more. And workers in Vietnam or China can't legally strike; Indian workers can, which may lead to even more increased labor costs and even downtime.

Apple's board is beholden to their shareholders. If Apple comes back with twice the increased manufacturing charges, the shareholders aren't going to be happy.

I want Apple to leave China when it comes to manufacturing. Unfortunately they won't for the reasons listed above. Apple exists to make as much money as they can.
If China can't even keep power on to factories I wonder how much better Vietnam will be able to handle it. Admittedly I know even less about Vietnam than China but it seems they are not as industrialized but are just as authoritarian. Remember that China essentially won Vietnam just like they did in North Korea. No coincidence that they are both authoritarian and undeveloped.

Seems to me the only benefit to moving production to Vietnam would be kicking the globalization can down the road a bit longer.

Seems like the only right choice for the world is to manufacture things in countries that treat people like people, even though we then have to pay the price.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
55 months ago

This type of thing is only going to get worse as time goes by. We're still in the early stages.
It is crazy how bad it already is. I fear what we are going to see in the future.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Pay Ad Features Martial Arts Convenience Store Food Fight
Apple Pay Ad Features Martial Arts Convenience Store Food Fight
4 minutes ago
Apple Continues to Say Some AI Features Will Have Fees for Extra Usage
Apple Continues to Say Some AI Features Will Have Fees for Extra Usage
11 minutes ago
Apple Announces Türkiye Expansion Plans as Tim Cook Visits
Apple Announces Türkiye Expansion Plans as Tim Cook Visits
1 hour ago
Singapore Saved Apple $2.7 Billion in Taxes This Year
Singapore Saved Apple $2.7 Billion in Taxes This Year
1 hour ago
Apple Music's 2026 Artist of the Year is Olivia Dean
Apple Music's 2026 Artist of the Year is Olivia Dean
2 hours ago
This Could Be Your Last Chance to Pre-Order the HomeView at a Discount
This Could Be Your Last Chance to Pre-Order the HomeView at a Discount
2 hours ago
Some HomePod Mini 2 Buyers Returning Units Over Mac Speaker Issues
Some HomePod Mini 2 Buyers Returning Units Over Mac Speaker Issues
2 hours ago
MacBook Pro With PROLED XDR Display: Details You Might Have Missed
MacBook Pro With PROLED XDR Display: Details You Might Have Missed
3 hours ago
Satechi Offers MacRumors Readers 30% Off Select Accessories in Early Black Friday Sale
Satechi Offers MacRumors Readers 30% Off Select Accessories in Early Black Friday Sale
3 hours ago
Leaker Envisions a Shorter iPhone With a New iOS Layout
Leaker Envisions a Shorter iPhone With a New iOS Layout
3 hours ago
Apple to Give You More Control Over When Your Mac Passwords Lock
Apple to Give You More Control Over When Your Mac Passwords Lock
4 hours ago
Siri Is Getting a Better Memory
Siri Is Getting a Better Memory
5 hours ago
iPhone 18e Could Feature Bigger Display and Battery
iPhone 18e Could Feature Bigger Display and Battery
5 hours ago
Apple's Siri Boss May Leave - Here's Who Could Take Over
Apple's Siri Boss May Leave - Here's Who Could Take Over
5 hours ago
Apple Launching Two More New Products This Friday
Apple Launching Two More New Products This Friday
6 hours ago
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
14 hours ago
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
1 day ago
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
1 day ago
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
2 days ago
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
2 days ago
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
3 days ago
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
3 days ago
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
3 days ago
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
3 days ago
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
3 days ago
Apple Says More Than 100,000 Apps Optimized for iPhone Duo, Here's What's Still Missing
Apple Says More Than 100,000 Apps Optimized for iPhone Duo, Here's What's Still Missing
3 days ago
Early Black Friday Deals Kickoff With Steep Discounts on Apple Watch Ultras and More
Early Black Friday Deals Kickoff With Steep Discounts on Apple Watch Ultras and More
3 days ago
The MacRumors Show: iOS 27.3 Looks Like a Huge Update
The MacRumors Show: iOS 27.3 Looks Like a Huge Update
3 days ago
Best Buy's Black Friday Event Begins With Sitewide Savings on Apple, TVs, More
Best Buy's Black Friday Event Begins With Sitewide Savings on Apple, TVs, More
3 days ago