Apple was reportedly planning to unveil the iPhone 9 (or iPhone SE 2) at an event at the end of March, but Apple and the electronics industry as a whole have been in turmoil as the coronavirus has forced Chinese factories to shut down or limit their production capacity.

And now there is a glimmer of hope in the form of a new Reuters report that Apple's largest manufacturing partner, Foxconn, "could resume normal production in China by the end of this month."

While this sounds positive, it is not so for the $399 phone that was expected to ship next month; Foxconn is currently only at 50% capacity, so even if Apple announces as planned, the iPhone 9 release date will likely still be delayed.

Another CNN report repeats what we are hearing about the iPhone 9/iPhone SE 2 launch delay." Foxconn's reduced production capacity will likely also delay the launch of Apple's lower-priced iPhone SE2, which was expected this month or next." This is according to KGI Asia analyst Laura Chen.

Apple has already lowered its Q2 guidance due to the expected iPhone supply shortage, but at least production appears to be able to resume soon.

But even assuming Foxconn returns to full operations by the end of March, it will be rushing to make up for lost time. And not just for Apple. Foxconn also makes products for Microsoft, Dell, and Sony.

The iPhone 9 is expected to feature a design similar to the iPhone 8, but with powerful components. Leaked information points to a 4.7-inch display and Touch ID button, as well as a fast A13 Bionic chip inside.

If the iPhone 9 is indeed priced at $399, Apple will be a strong competitor to the Google Pixel 4a, which is scheduled to launch in May at the same price.

According to Bloomberg, getting the iPhone 9 on store shelves in April could be a very difficult task, given that other Apple products like the iPad Pro and AirPods Pro are already in short supply.