Apple could delay the launch of its first 5G iPhone range as the coronavirus pandemic threatens global demand and disrupts the company's product development schedule, sources familiar with the matter have told the Nikkei Asian Review.

According to the report, Apple has held internal discussions on the possibility of delaying the launch by months, while supply chain sources say practical hurdles could push back the release, originally scheduled for September.

The report also says that the engineering development of the 5G iPhone has been affected by travel curbs introduced in the U.S., China and elsewhere to combat the coronavirus. Essential and standard procedures such as hands-on testing have or will be delayed.

The worst-case scenario, delaying the launch until 2021, would do more than just disrupt Apple's roadmap for product releases.

Apple declined to comment.

Apple was supposed to deliver four different models of the handsets for this year.