• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it

2

U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts

3

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts

1

Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it

2

U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts

3

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
TechBest Companies

An NYU Student Went Undercover at an iPhone Factory in China

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
April 12, 2017, 11:37 AM ET
Video Poster
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

One NYU graduate student got an up close and personal look at what it’s like to produce iPhones for a summer project last year. And now he’s telling his story.

Dejian Zeng spent his summer last year working at ChangShuo factory in China. The factory, which is owned and operated by Apple (AAPL) manufacturing partner Pegatron, is home to iPhone production and at the time, Zeng and his colleagues at the facility were busy readying Apple’s handsets for store shelves. Zeng detailed his experience working at the facility in a lengthy interview published by Business Insider this week. He also shared how much he was paid, where he lived, and what it’s really like to attach a screw to an iPhone case.

Here’s a look at some of the major things Zeng revealed about his time working at the Pegatron facility:

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter

  • Zeng started working on the iPhone assembly line screwing a speaker to the handset’s case. He would input the single screw into handsets all day without being allowed to use electronics to help pass the time.
  • Zeng was told by his manager from time to time to keep his “voice low” when he would strike up a conversation with other workers.
  • He said that he lived in a dorm with seven other people and was shuttled to the facility by a Pegatron bus. Sometimes, the dorm doesn’t have water available for residents to shower, he said. However, residents can watch videos for free over the dorm Wi-Fi.
  • Zeng worked the night shift and would start working at 7:30 p.m. local time each night. After two hours, he was given a ten-minute break. Zeng could take a 50-minute lunch break two hours later.
  • Many workers are tired, Zeng said, and try to sleep. However, if they’re caught laying down, their IDs will be swiped and managers will yell at them, he said. In some cases, workers are fined.
  • Employees generally work eight hours each day, but are sometimes required to work overtime, which can add an additional two hours to two-and-a-half hours to the day. Including breaks and lunch, workers spend 12 hours in the facility, Zeng said.
  • Zeng said that most workers do the jobs for the money to support their families. However, he doesn’t believe anyone sees a job in the facility as a career.
  • He was paid 3,100 yuan (about $450) and housing for a month’s work, including overtime. But overtime is, in most cases, mandatory, Zeng said.
  • Security at the facility increased significantly when production shifted from the iPhone 6s to the iPhone 7. The company turned up metal detector sensitivity so high that the sensor would sometimes detect metal in female workers’ bras. Those workers then had to change their clothes to get into the facility, Zeng said.
  • During iPhone 7 production, Apple had staff in the factory each day supervising assembly.
  • Pegatron does a good job of banning underage workers and has impressive safety training, Zeng said.
  • </ul> <p>Apple did not immediately respond to a Fortune request for comment on the Business Insider interview.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

OpenAI engineer’s ‘LOL’ moment set stage for legal fight with Apple
LawOpenAI
OpenAI engineer’s ‘LOL’ moment set stage for legal fight with Apple
By Mark Gurman and BloombergJuly 11, 2026
3 hours ago
Photo of Phoebe Gates
Startups & VentureEntrepreneurs
‘I have a chip on my shoulder.’ Phoebe Gates wants her $185 million AI startup Phia to succeed with ‘no ties to my privilege or my last name’
By Sydney LakeJuly 11, 2026
7 hours ago
usa
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
For 250 years, work defined American identity. That era Is ending
By Keith Ferrazzi and Wendy SmithJuly 11, 2026
8 hours ago
Meta added a privacy-safety feature to its AI glasses but is reportedly testing a ‘super-sensing’ prototype
Big TechMeta
Meta added a privacy-safety feature to its AI glasses but is reportedly testing a ‘super-sensing’ prototype
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 11, 2026
9 hours ago
How SK Hynix just pulled off the second-largest U.S. share sale by quietly powering the AI boom
AsiaIPOs
How SK Hynix just pulled off the second-largest U.S. share sale by quietly powering the AI boom
By Nicholas GordonJuly 11, 2026
10 hours ago
Why the 2026 IPO boom is about to broaden beyond AI mega-deals
InvestingFinance
Why the 2026 IPO boom is about to broaden beyond AI mega-deals
By Sheryl EstradaJuly 11, 2026
11 hours ago

Most Popular

Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it
Middle East
Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it
By Jason MaJuly 10, 2026
1 day ago
U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts
Economy
U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts
By Eleanor PringleJuly 10, 2026
1 day ago
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
Success
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
By Emma BurleighJuly 9, 2026
2 days ago
Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
Environment
Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 10, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of July 10, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of July 10, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 10, 2026
1 day ago
When Erling Haaland isn’t playing for Norway in the World Cup, he's investing in a chess championship and playing an animated Viking
Success
When Erling Haaland isn’t playing for Norway in the World Cup, he's investing in a chess championship and playing an animated Viking
By Emma BurleighJuly 10, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.