Rumours of a later release for ‘iPhone 12’ models are gathering pace after Broadcom revealed that there could be a “major product cycle delay” for a leading smartphone manufacturer later this year.
Broadcom CEO Hock Tan, who usually references Apple when talking about a “large North American mobile phone” company, said that the impact of COVID-19 had forced a pushback from the traditional September launch window for next-generation smartphones.
Tan’s latest comments were reported by Bloomberg and suggest that Apple’s slate of new iPhone models will not arrive until Q4 2020 at the earliest.
Reports about a possible delay for the ‘iPhone 12’ have been plentiful in recent weeks, with the Wall Street Journal among those also predicting a later launch date for Apple’s premium smartphones.
The Cupertino-based company has seen some of its plans disrupted by the global pandemic, which has applied greater pressure on its supply chains and manufacturing capabilities.
While everything is ramping up again now, the knock-on effect may see at least two of the four planned iPhone models being delayed into October.
Broadcom will know first-hand of Apple’s plans after it rubber-stamped two new component supply agreements with it earlier this year.
Tan revealed details of the potential delay in financial guidance for H2 2020.
He said: “In Q3, we will normally expect to see a double-digit sequential uplift in revenue from the ramp of next-generation phone at our large North American mobile phone customer.”
Tan added that the increase in revenue would not be registered until Q4 this time around.
Apple has opted for a staggered release of iPhones in the past.
Back in 2018, Apple launched the more expensive iPhone XS and XS Max models in September before releasing the cheaper iPhone XR a month later.