To say that the iPhone 12 launch date is moving would be an overstatement. Recent reports have suggested that a coronavirus pandemic could, at worst, delay the launch to 2021, but now there may be some good news.

According to a new report from Bloomberg, "the next iPhone with 5G wireless capabilities remains on track to launch in the fall." This is because, at least according to those "familiar with the matter," mass production is not scheduled until the summer.

Note that the report says fall, not September. Last year's iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max all launched on September 20. However, there is precedent for a late fall release; the iPhone X was released in November 2017.

The latest Bloomberg report focuses on Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn. The company said it has resolved labor shortages related to the COVID-19 epidemic and is now back to "normal seasonal production capacity."

Last Friday, Digitimes reported that "PCB suppliers say they have received no notification from clients about the 5G iPhone production delay." However, the report stated that "demand uncertainty has led to difficulties in hiring workers."

These recent reports contradict what we heard last week-Nikkei Asian Review reported that the iPhone 12 could be delayed by several months. And the source cited a "significant drop in consumer appetite for cell phone upgrades."

In other words, Apple needs the iPhone 12 - the first 5G iPhone - to be a hit, and may decide to delay its launch even if enough units are produced to launch in the fall.

Samsung has already seen a 60% drop in sales of the Samsung Galaxy S20 series compared to last year's Galaxy S10, and in February Apple lowered its own quarterly guidance based on a coronavirus outbreak. And that was before the disease spread even more rapidly around the world. At last count, there were nearly 700,000 COVID-19 cases and 33,106 deaths, with more than 122,000 cases in the U.S.

According to a recent report from Bloomberg, the iPhone 12 seems to be going well, but Apple's partner also warns that future devices could be delayed if there are disruptions to the network. These devices will likely include a new Apple TV, Apple Watch 6, a new iPad, and a new 13-inch MacBook Pro.