Apple's iPhone Duo shipment target jumps from 9.7 million to 14 million
Supply chain sources say Apple has sharply raised its production goals for its first folding phone after pre-orders opened on Friday.
By Christopher Singh ·
Apple has raised its shipment target for the iPhone Duo from 9.7 million to 14 million units over its first 12 months. That is a jump of more than 40 percent. The change comes from supply chain sources cited in a DigiTimes report. The report says Apple has ramped up production to keep pace with demand it called "extraordinary." Pre-orders for the device opened on Friday, October 16.
Delivery dates slipped within about a minute of orders opening. Some customers saw estimated ship dates pushed into late January. Apple said the delays reflected heavy demand for its first folding iPhone. It is a phrase the company often uses for new iPhone launches. Apple also capped orders at two per customer. The limit was meant to slow down scalpers. Some customers who ordered were later given earlier shipping dates than first reported.
The iPhone Duo is Apple's first folding device. It is a new product category for the company. Apple has not made a phone that folds before now. The device runs on iOS like other iPhones. Apple did not comment on the DigiTimes report. The company has not confirmed the higher shipment numbers.
The DigiTimes report points to Apple's suppliers. It says order volumes have gone up. The company expects strong demand to continue through the first year. Apple has not said how many units it plans to ship in any single quarter. The 14 million figure covers the first 12 months after launch.
Early buyers face some limits on the device for now. Third-party apps are not yet built for the folding screen. Apple says developers are working to fix this. The company says the situation is improving fast. Reviews based on one week of use point to app support as one of five key takeaways. Other reviews noted that the device uses Touch ID instead of Face ID. A report on Thursday says Apple is already testing iPhone Duo 2 prototypes with Face ID.
The iPhone Duo is on sale now. Apple has not said when the first units will ship. Customers who ordered on October 16 may wait until January to get one. Apple has not said how many pre-orders it has taken. The company does not release those figures. The higher shipment target suggests the company expects the pace to hold.
