The iPhone 16 launch is expected to happen in September, and with four models scheduled to arrive just like last year, Apple’s assembling partner Foxconn will have its hands full in fulfilling all of those orders in the millions. To meet the demand, the Chinese supply chain giant has reportedly hired 50,000 additional workers to keep up the pace. To retain the new hires, the company is said to have offered a starting bonus of $1,050 while also increasing the hourly wage to prevent any last-minute resignations.
Foxconn increased the signing bonus from $836 in July; report claims that amount could reach $1,116 if it means keeping up with iPhone 16 demand
The 50,000 workers are said to be stationed at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou facility, which is believed to be the largest factory in the world and one that produces the most iPhones annually. According to Economic News Daily, it looks as if everything is going according to schedule as the additional workforce was added in August, which is an approach that Foxconn followed prior to the iPhone 15 launch last year too. Apple’s biggest assembling partner started posting ads in July, introducing an hourly wage of up to 25 yuan, or $3.49.
As for the bonus, Foxconn was reported to have increased it from $836 to $1,050 in August, but it will be offered to workers who complete their tenure of three months. Assuming that there is a shortage of employees, Chen Da, a recruitment agent for Foxconn, stated that bonuses could be increased to $1,116 to encourage workers to stay the entire employment duration. A previous estimation mentioned that Apple was targeting 90 million iPhone 16 units for 2024 alone, which is a 10 percent increase compared to the number of units belonging to the iPhone 15 series.
An increase in the annual shipment target for the newer models means that Foxconn must operate round the clock to ensure that the iPhone 16 supply remains consistent. Apple can choose to lower the required shipments in the coming months if it feels that demand has stabilized, but during the official launch period, Foxconn and its workers will need to shift their momentum into the fifth gear. While Apple has branched out production to India, the Zhengzhou facility in China remains the company’s most trusted factory for churning out millions of iPhone units every year.
News Source: Economic News Daily
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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