After China's tight COVID-19 lockdowns delayed the timeline for at least one of the new phones, Apple Inc has instructed its suppliers to speed up iPhone development, according to Nikkei on Wednesday, citing numerous sources with knowledge of the situation.


Last month, iPhone manufacturer Pegatron Corp (4938.TW) had to shut down its Shanghai and Kunshan factories because to China's zero-COVID policy.


Shanghai's financial core remains virtually paralyzed by a city-wide lockdown that has now been in effect for seven weeks, while Beijing has increased quarantine operations.


Last month, Apple predicted further challenges as China's COVID-19 lockdowns stymied manufacturing and demand, with the situation in Ukraine compounding the company's concerns.


Apple's manufacturing timeline and initial production quantities of the new phones are expected to be harmed in the worst-case scenario, according to the Nikkei business daily.


Requests for comment from Reuters were not immediately returned by Apple or its suppliers Foxconn (2317.TW) and Pegatron.