Apple Watch Series 7 Production Reportedly Delayed Due to Quality Issues [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Production of the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 has been delayed due to the upcoming watch featuring a "complicated design," according to a report by Nikkei Asia.

According to the report, Apple suppliers began small-scale production of the watch last week, and during which, employees "encountered critical challenges in reaching satisfactory production performance."

Manufacturers of Apple Watch 7, as the device is expected to be called, began small-scale production last week but encountered critical challenges in reaching satisfactory production performance, multiple people familiar with the situation said.

Three sources said the current disappointing production quality could be attributed to the complexity of design, which is significantly different from that of previous generations of the watch, and the assemblers found issues when putting together electronics modules, components and displays.

As a result of the complex design, which is rumored to come in the form of flat-edges and larger displays, Apple suppliers have "temporarily halted" production of the new watch as engineers attempt to "further certify the designs before going into mass production."

The Apple Watch Series 7, according to Nikkei Asia, will come with blood pressure measurement capabilities, an apparent factor in production being halted. Specifically, hardware to enable blood pressure measurements must "meet requirements for water-resistance performance, further increasing the engineering and production challenges."

Apple is widely rumored to be planning an all-digital event for the middle of next month, where the company is expected to announce the iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7. Today's report, however, citing sources, says those plans might be impacted due to the production issues. While production of the watch may be experiencing issues, those issues may only result in delayed shipping of the device rather than a delay in its announcement.

For example, Apple suppliers earlier this year were battling with production constraints related to mini-LED displays used in the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro. While the new iPad was announced in April, it didn't begin shipping until later in May due to production issues. A similar scenario may be in play with the Apple Watch Series 7 if today's report is true.

Update 9:42 am: Bloomberg is hearing similar information that the launch is likely to be delayed.

Apple Inc.’s upcoming smartwatch is suffering production snags as manufacturers adjust to a new design, likely leading to delays, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Article Link: Apple Watch Series 7 Production Reportedly Delayed Due to Quality Issues [Updated]

 

[calstanford]

Small scale only last week? For a roll out in September?

 

[Reason077]

Looking forward to this one. But happy for them to delay it in order to get the quality right. Nothing worse than shipping an unfinished, buggy product, right Apple?

 

[ericg301]

i call bs. they only started making these in the last two weeks?

odds are that there are warehouses of these, under lock and key, that have been manufactured since May.

 

[HeavenDynamic]

I don't believe Apple would start mass producing a new product only two weeks before announcing it and even if that was the case, this report would probably mean a launch on time but with limited quantities rather than a delay.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

The only way they can fix this is by taking their time.

No? Not even a snigger?

 

[seanmills1020]

Integrating the James Bond-like laser has been a challenge.

 

[deckard666]

Total hogwash.

 

[whoknows2597]

Sigh. Don’t we hear about production issues a few weeks leading up to the event??? In July we hear about production issues for iPhone, then late August it’s a specific issue which will cause a delay. This happens every year only to find out that things are running smooth before the main event…

 

[xgman]

unless the ship date of the watches was always going to be later than the phones. in any case, hope this isn't true.

 

[now i see it]

Limited supply! Hurry hurry, order immediately on launch day!

 

[KrisLord]

Another vote for this is wrong.

you don’t get to today, 2 weeks before a launch without having moved to volume manufacturing.

i also don’t see anything in the rumours that would match this being difficult to produce - it’s the same as previous watches just in a slightly revised case.

 

[MacDevil7334]

Everyone is assuming these were going to launch alongside the iPhones in September. There have been several reports that Apple is going to hold multiple events this fall. The watch may have always been slated for a later launch anyway, in which case volume production starting 2 weeks ago is not beyond belief.

 

[justiny]

As a current WATCH Series 5 owner, I’m perfectly okay with this report if it’s true.

The Series 7 looks like a toy watch. But we all know I’ll succumb to the Apple powers and buy it anyways.

 

[Dwalls90]

This may be a fake rumor Apple is using to weed out leakers. Or just another annual "production issue" story.

Apple starts sourcing components well before the month of a product release, but assembly generally doesn't begin that far in advance. You also need to keep in mind that loading the software onto the devices before shipping is somewhat limited by the software's development cycle. As an example, in recent years, the last beta released to the public in mid-late August is typically the same build that ships on new hardware in September. Apple is ahead internally in terms of builds, but I'd place my bet on hardware manufacturing really beginning 3-4 weeks before it goes on sale and not much further in advance.

 

[_Spinn_]

This seems kinda late to start mass production for next month's launch. I hope there's not a delay but I would rather they fix this issues rather than rush something out.

The Apple Watch Series 7, according to Nikkei Asia, will come with blood pressure measurement capabilities, an apparent factor in production being halted. Specifically, hardware to enable blood pressure measurements must "meet requirements for water-resistance performance, further increasing the engineering and production challenges."

I hope we are getting blood pressure monitoring this year but I thought most rumors pointed to this happening in a later model.

 

[Iconoclysm]

i call bs. they only started making these in the last two weeks?

odds are that there are warehouses of these, under lock and key, that have been manufactured since May.

The watch isn't as large scale as the iPhone, I think it's possible if not probable that they only start making them a couple of months before hand. And yeah, I expect a mid-October launch.

 

[Iconoclysm]

This may be a fake rumor Apple is using to weed out leakers. Or just another annual "production issue" story.

Apple starts sourcing components well before the month of a product release, but assembly generally doesn't begin that far in advance. You also need to keep in mind that loading the software onto the devices before shipping is somewhat limited by the software's development cycle. As an example, in recent years, the last beta released to the public in mid-late August is typically the same build that ships on new hardware in September. Apple is ahead internally in terms of builds, but I'd place my bet on hardware manufacturing really beginning 3-4 weeks before it goes on sale and not much further in advance.

Is every rumor now going to have an assumption that it's a fake rumor Apple is using? I doubt we're ever going to notice one of those when they happen.

 

[dantracht]

In other words, wait a bit before buying, whether true or not.

 

[alexandr]

blood pressure, really? that's probably the one thing that could make me upgrade. i'd love to know how an aw is meant to get an accurate reading without a dedicated band.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Folks! Let me save you with a headache. This report is bogus.

Just wait till one more week, Tuesday, September 07th for an Apple event announcement.

The production itself started last week? This makes no sense. But this report is coming from a highly reliable source. I hope Apple manages to pull it off.

Maybe this is a marketing trick Apple is throwing off.

 

[npmacuser5]

i call bs. they only started making these in the last two weeks?

odds are that there are warehouses of these, under lock and key, that have been manufactured since May.

According to several articles, Apple can produce 500,000 iPhones in one day. That would be 15 million in one month. Given that manufacturing ability, Apple sold 34 million watches in a year. They only need to produce 2.8 million watches in a month to meet that number. No problem starting today to meet early demand for the watch With exceptional sales. Would not second guess Apple when it comes to manufacturing and supply chain.

 

[JPack]

Do people realize Apple doesn’t have to launch Watch 7 in September?

Apple split up the launch of iPhone and Watch last year.

 

[jz0309]

not really credible, "small scale" production started probably at least a couple months ago and everything was "certified" back then, volume ramp-up, maybe, if there is another assembly house that was not part of the "small scale" production ...

 

[jonnyb]

This happens every. flipping. year. It's like clockwork.