Apple Increases iPhone Duo Production After Pre-Order Backlog
Reports indicate a significant ramp-up in manufacturing to meet demand for the company's first foldable device.
By Bianca Ricci ·
Apple has reportedly increased its iPhone Duo shipment targets by more than 40%, raising them from 9.7 million to 14 million units for the device's first year. The reported surge in manufacturing comes as the company's first foldable phone faces substantial demand, leading to extended delivery times for many customers.
According to supply chain reports, the decision to ramp up production is a response to what Apple described as "extraordinary" pre-order interest. Pre-orders opened on a Friday, and within moments, customers began reporting delivery dates pushed into late January. Apple has also limited orders to a maximum of two per customer to combat scalping.
The company's characterization of demand as "extraordinary" is a phrase frequently used for new iPhone launches, which raises the question of whether the initial delivery delays were a reflection of high demand or limited supply. However, a DigiTimes report, based on supply chain sources, points toward the latter, suggesting Apple has ramped up production in response to the high volume of orders.
Further complicating the initial picture, some customers who had received later delivery estimates subsequently saw their shipping dates moved up. This shift in timelines, combined with reports of increased production targets, suggests that Apple is actively working to fulfill orders more quickly than initially projected.
Apple expects this strong demand for the iPhone Duo to continue. Early customers are encountering some challenges, particularly with third-party applications that are not yet optimized for the device's unique form factor. Apple has stated that the situation is improving rapidly as developers adapt their apps for the new hardware.
The first reviews, based on a week of usage, have identified app support as one of five key takeaways. Another of these points is the device's use of Touch ID, a downgrade from Face ID. However, a report indicates that Apple is already testing iPhone Duo 2 prototypes with Face ID.
Source: 9to5Mac · original report published
