Apple is preparing for its September event, where it will unveil not just the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max but also its first foldable flagship, the iPhone Fold . Like clockwork, demand is expected to shoot through the roof despite the RAM crisis , and according to a new report, Foxconn is actively hiring workers for various divisions to keep pace with Apple’s strict schedule. To entice potential new hires, the assembly giant is offering a $1,230 bonus.
The latest details published by Economic Daily News mention that Apple’s keynote is expected to be held on September 9, which is typically around the same period that the company has unveiled its older-generation iPhones. Foxconn’s largest assembly plant, located in Zhengzhou, China, has begun actively hiring employees as the company prepares for what could be yet another successful unveiling.
To help boost total headcount, Foxconn is reportedly offering a short-term signing bonus totaling up to RMB 8,800, which converts to approximately $1,230, making it higher than the standard incentives offered in the region. Workers who reported for duty from August 14 will receive an additional bonus of RMB 500 (approximately $74), followed by the remaining RMB 8,300.
In previous years, the amount was RMB 9,000, or $1,334, making the $1,230 slightly lower. However, the report doesn’t explain why Foxconn is offering a lower bonus, despite the more complex iPhone Fold being added to the lineup. Apple’s chief assembly partner has two business groups that are actively recruiting, each responsible for component testing, assembly, and quality inspection.
The initial shipment tally for the iPhone 18 Pro series and iPhone Fold isn’t mentioned in the report, but it’s possible that Apple keeps the initial production volume lower than in previous years due to skyrocketing DRAM and NAND costs. Even though former CEO Tim Cook has admitted that current memory prices have become unsustainable , there’s no confirmation that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will ship with a higher starting price.
However, we’ve reported that DRAM costs of both flagships will account for 42 percent of BOM (Bill Of Materials) in 2027 , so unless Apple happily absorbs these costs for its loyal customers, we don’t foresee a situation where the entire iPhone 18 lineup won’t become pricier.
News Source: Economic Daily News
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