The launched 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models are in demand for their advanced and innovative hardware upgrades and design. Therefore, a recent report suggests that the surge in smartphones’ production has adversely affected the air quality in some Chinese cities.
Tech analysts at Morgan Stanley announced that they were monitoring the air quality in the production hubs like Zhengzhou of the iPhone 12 models and believe that lower air quality is directly linked to an earlier mass production schedule of the new flagship iPhone series. If the report holds to be true then it will directly contradict Apple’s claims of working to improve the environment by reducing carbon footprints.
Surge in iPhone 12’s Production Lowers Air Quality in China
CNBC reports that tracking air quality in Zhengzhou, a major production site for Apple’s manufacturers, the analysts have data which suggests that the city’s air has worsened due to ramped-up industrial activity related to iPhone 12.
Morgan Stanley analysts write,
“Using air quality data from a non-profit platform that collects and publishes air quality data in China, we track nitrogen dioxide levels (controlling for temperature, humidity, wind, etc.), which, according to the European Space Agency, is a first-level indicator of industrial activity, in four Chinese cities where Apple’s manufacturing partners have a large manufacturing presence.
As of October 26th, air quality data from Zhengzhou, also known as ‘iPhone City,’ shows that industrial production levels have spiked higher recently, about a month later than historical seasonality, which we believe coincides with the ramp in iPhone 12 mass production.”
Analysts found similar air conditions in Shenzhen, Chengdu and Chongqing in China where the quality lowered with the increase in industrial activity due to iPhone 12 production.
The new iPhone 12 line-up was announced a month after the usual September launch because of COVID-19 related production delays, as per industry reports. And now that the company has already launched 6.1-inch models and will launch the 5.4-iPhone 12 mini and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max on November 6, the manufacturing units are bound to ramp-up the production.
Apple has not commented on this report. With the goal to be carbon neutral by 2030, the company must address the current environmental cost of making more units.
