The coronavirus has affected many businesses, among them Apple, which was forced to change its programming and delay the launch of new iPhone models. This news was officially announced by Luca Maestri, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Apple, during a presentation of the company’s financial results.
“Last year, the availability of the iPhone began in late September. This year, we expect the market release will be a few weeks later,” Maestri specifically stated.
The changing of the launch is due to the lockdown in Apple’s factories in China, which was the first to be hit by the pandemic, resulting in the suspension of smartphone production. This was also the reason for iPhone SE hitting the market in April instead of March, as originally scheduled. Despite the delay, however, its sales did not decline, demonstrating a consumer tendency to eagerly await the new iPhone models. The demand for the upcoming smartphones is expected to be similarly high despite the wait.
It is worth mentioning Apple’s financial results for the second quarter, according to which the net profits rose to $11.25 billion (or $2.58 per share), compared to $10.04 billion in the second quarter of 2019. Revenues rose to $59.7 billion compared to $53.81 billion in the corresponding period last year. Out of these revenues, $26.42 billion came from iPhone sales. An increase was also observed in the sales of Macs, which brought $7.08 billion to Apple’s coffers.
