With the iPhone 13 announcement just weeks away, there may be bad news for the supply of Apple's newest smartphone, whether it is true or not.

This comes from Foxconn, the Taiwanese contract manufacturer that has produced all iPhone devices to date. In a new quarterly report, Foxconn announced a 30% increase in profits, but braced for supply chain disruptions that could affect production of the next iPhone.

The warning of a shortage is based on a rise in COVID-19 cases across Asia, Reuters reported. The disruption that could be caused by closures and shutdowns would add to the ongoing global shortage of chips.

Foxconn Chairman Liu Yongwei said the supply shortages have affected the company, but explained that the influence of suppliers, presumably including Apple, helped secure parts. He also warned that the shortage could last until the second quarter of next year and could mean disruption to upcoming devices other than the iPhone 13.

Quoting Liu from Reuters: The epidemic situation seems to be getting worse in Asia. He was referring to the supply chain for high-tech products: "Asia is an important global hub for ICT components, so we need to watch closely to see if the epidemic affects the entire supply chain."

Apple itself had already warned earlier this year about the impact of the global chip shortage on Mac and iPad production and how this would begin to affect the iPhone later in the year. iPhone will likely debut next month, so Apple will be able to meet high demand, announced date, retail launch, or both could be delayed. Otherwise, Apple will have to face many angry customers who cannot find iPhone 13 in stock.

According to analyst firm Fubon Securities, Foxconn is expected to produce about three-quarters of Apple's iPhone inventory each year. Also, The Elec (via 9to5Mac) reports that Apple is assigning Foxconn new jobs that will help it save money.

That job is assembling iPhone camera modules, and as The Elec discovered, Foxconn just purchased new inspection equipment. Previously, Apple had purchased complete dual- and triple-camera arrays from companies like LG and Sharp. With the new system, the cameras will arrive separately to Foxconn, where they will be assembled.

Apple appears to be cutting costs here, which may be good for customers, assuming the end product will not be worse. Perhaps Apple will use these newly realized funds for the iPhone 13's rumored new features. These include a 120Hz refresh rate display on the two iPhone 13 Pro models, an always-on display, a smaller Face ID notch, and a larger battery in all four versions.