Apple Raises iPhone Duo Production Targets to 14 Million Amid Surge in Demand
The tech giant has significantly increased its manufacturing plans for its first folding smartphone after initial pre-orders triggered immediate shipping delays.
By Jacob Leary ·
Apple has substantially increased its manufacturing targets for the iPhone Duo, a move driven by what the company characterizes as extraordinary consumer interest in its first folding smartphone.
The shift in production strategy emerged in the immediate aftermath of the device's launch. When pre-orders opened on Friday, customers quickly noticed that delivery estimates were extended, with some orders showing arrival dates as late as late January. While it was initially ambiguous whether these delays stemmed from supply chain bottlenecks or an unexpected spike in popularity, recent supply chain reports indicate that the latter is the primary factor. Apple stated that the delays were a result of "extraordinary" demand, a phrase the company frequently employs during major product launches. To manage the influx and limit the impact of scalpers, the company capped purchases at two units per customer.
In response to this sustained interest, Apple has reportedly raised its shipment goals for the first 12 months from 9.7 million units to 14 million. This adjustment reflects the company's expectation that strong demand will persist well into next year. As production ramps up, some early buyers are already seeing their estimated shipping dates move earlier, suggesting that the supply chain is catching up to the initial rush.
For New England consumers and other early adopters, the hardware upgrade comes with a temporary trade-off in software maturity. Developers are still in the process of optimizing third-party applications for the new form factor. However, Apple asserts that this situation is improving rapidly as developers integrate support for the folding screen. Initial reviews from users who have spent a week with the device consistently highlight app support as a primary area of focus, alongside the decision to utilize Touch ID instead of Face ID for authentication.
Looking ahead, the focus is shifting toward the next iteration of the hardware. Reports indicate that Apple is already testing prototypes of the iPhone Duo 2, with the potential inclusion of Face ID among the key changes being evaluated. This suggests that the company is actively addressing the biometric authentication decision made for the inaugural model while continuing to scale production of the current device to meet the revised 14 million unit target.
Source: 9to5Mac
