Foxconn Executive Speaks to Difficulty of iPhone 5 Assembly

Following word that increased quality control standards for the iPhone 5 assembly process have slowed Foxconn's production and increased stress on workers, The Wall Street Journal shares comments from an unnamed Foxconn executive explaining the difficulty in assembling the device.

“The iPhone 5 is the most difficult device that Foxconn has ever assembled. To make it light and thin, the design is very complicated,” said an official at the company who declined to be named. “It takes time to learn how to make this new device. Practice makes perfect. Our productivity has been improving day by day.”

The executive also addressed the scratching issues that have reportedly been the cause of the increased quality control standards, noting that it is "always hard to satisfy both aesthetic needs and practical needs."

iphone 5 teardown complete
Completed teardown of iPhone 5 (Source: iFixit)

The executive also acknowledged tensions between production line staff and quality control inspectors, but declined to offer additional information on the situation that was initially reported as a strike by several thousand workers but later denied by Foxconn.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...

Top Rated Comments

Tobias Funke Avatar
158 months ago
Having inexperienced 14 year old kids on the assembly lines doesn't help either.

Did you see this when you visited the factory yourself ??
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lifequest Avatar
158 months ago
While I do not condone child labour, the conditions at factories are at least humane. There is opportunity. Not every country is as fortunate as many of us; sitting where we are. Developing nations are developing.

While we sit on our high horse of justice, fail to see the true effects of our demands. What if that 14 year old's family couldn't afford an education. The problem stems much deeper than a simple employer-employee relationship.
What if, just what if, the 14 year old child that you indirectly-fired by your out cries has now cost that family there whole income. Mum is sick and dad has left her before she could even walk.

Before I get insulted and attacked, please just watch this talk from TED:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_kristine_glimpses_of_modern_day_slavery.html

Please focus your efforts on real problems, not those brought to the surface by front page coverage on newspapers.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Marcus-k Avatar
158 months ago
Did you see this when you visited the factory yourself ??
Why would he have to visit the factory? Foxconn has recently confirmed themselves that they have underage workers.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
juanmanas Avatar
158 months ago
yep

Having inexperienced 14 year old kids on the assembly lines doesn't help either.

Steve Jobs phoned HP when he was 13, asking to have the chance to work at HP during summer time. That was his beginning in the industry

BUT, if that happens in China, then we are exploting them...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eldaria Avatar
158 months ago
Plastic Film

Other manufacturers put a plastic film as protection during manufacturing, usually the first thing you peal of your electronics when you get them.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dolph0291 Avatar
158 months ago
Having inexperienced 14 year old kids on the assembly lines doesn't help either.

I live in México and there are 14-year old kids working in the tortilla factory next door. Call the cops! And boycott their tortillas!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)