Oliver Haslam on September 9, 2020, 12:34 am

iPhone 12 Production Beginning Soon, AirTags Production Already Underway

Apple is set to begin mass production of its iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro lineup soon, according to a new report. The company isn’t expected to announce or ship its new iPhones until next month.

According to a new Nikkei Asian Review report, Apple will begin limited production in early October at the latest.

Manufacturing will begin on a limited scale, with mass production expected to begin gradually between the end of September and early October. This timetable is still behind Apple’s usual schedule over the past few years, when mass production began in August for lineups released in September, but it is a large improvement compared with the situation a few months ago, two sources familiar with the matter said.

As a result of the delayed production and launch – Apple normally launches iPhones in September – it’s likely that it will miss previous targets for the number of iPhones shipped. The delay is directly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

As for AirTags, Apple’s Tile-like tracking device, the same report claims that production is already underway. We may see an announcement as soon as next week’s September media event, for example.

Apple is also preparing a new accessory, known as the Airtag, that will allow users to track non-Apple devices, a source with knowledge of the device said, adding that the new gadget has already gone into production.

Apple today announced an event for September 15, although we don’t expect iPhones to get a showing. Instead, Apple Watch and iPad are set to be the stars of the show this time around. Maybe AirTags will join the fun, too.