Coronavirus is causing an iPhone shortage - but will it reach the UK?

Samsung just launched its new range of S20 phones. Huawei is facing controversy in the UK over the 5G network. But now Apple is hitting the headlines because of a threat from coronavirus, known as Covid-19.

Last night, Apple told investors that it would fail to meet its first quarterly revenue target because of the closure of its factories in China. Aiming to make nearly £48 to £52 billion, Apple is also falling short because of a drop in customers from China.

In a statement, Apple said, “Work is starting to resume around the country, but we are experiencing a slower return to normal conditions than we had anticipated. As a result, we do not expect to meet the revenue guidance we provided for the March quarter.”

Will this affect the number of new phones available in shops?

Though Apple factories reopened last week with reduced hours, the scale of Apple and the demand for its products means they need to be back up to full production strength before they can guarantee new phones.

Apple said, "While our iPhone manufacturing partner sites are located outside the Hubei province — and while all of these facilities have reopened — they are ramping up more slowly than we had anticipated," adding that iPhone supply shortages will temporarily affect revenues worldwide.

Apple closed all of its stores across China earlier this month.

For now it seems that China itself will be mostly affected by the shortage in Apple iPhone production. The company insisted that, "Outside of China, customer demand across our product and service categories has been strong to date and in line with our expectations.

"Apple is fundamentally strong, and this disruption to our business is only temporary. Our first priority — now and always — is the health and safety of our employees, supply chain partners, customers and the communities in which we operate. Our profound gratitude is with those on the front lines of confronting this public health emergency."