Apple lifts iPhone Duo shipment target to 14 million units
Supply chain sources say Apple has raised its first-year production goal for the folding handset in response to pre-order demand.
By Valentina Cruz ·
Customers who pre-ordered Apple's first folding iPhone and were told to wait until late January for delivery may find their devices arriving sooner. Some buyers have already received updated estimates bringing their shipping dates forward, following reports that Apple has moved to expand production of the handset.
The company has raised its shipment target for the iPhone Duo from 9.7 million to 14 million units over the first 12 months, according to a DigiTimes report drawing on supply chain sources. The report indicates Apple expects demand to remain strong. Apple has not commented publicly on the figures.
Pre-orders for the device opened on Friday, and delivery dates slipped within a minute or so for many customers seeking to secure one. Apple attributed the extended wait times to what it called 'extraordinary' demand for the product, though the company has used similar language for previous iPhone launches. To discourage scalpers, the company capped purchases at two units per customer.
Whether the rapid sellout reflected genuine consumer interest or limited initial stock was not immediately clear when pre-orders began. The reported increase in production targets points toward sustained demand as the driving factor, though the figures have not been independently confirmed.
Early users are encountering third-party applications that have not yet been optimized for the device's form factor. Apple has said the situation is improving as developers adapt their software. Reviews published after a week of use have consistently identified app support as one of five key takeaways.
Another point raised in those reviews is the phone's reliance on Touch ID rather than facial recognition. A report published today says Apple is already testing iPhone Duo 2 prototypes equipped with Face ID.
It remains unclear how quickly Apple can fulfill the additional orders or whether supply constraints could again affect delivery timelines. The company has not disclosed when the expanded production volumes would reach customers.
Source: 9to5Mac
