Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has reportedly asked its suppliers to increase production of the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, following demand that exceeded initial stock availability during the device’s launch.
According to a report published on Monday by Taiwan’s Economic Daily, citing industry sources, Apple has requested that suppliers accelerate manufacturing and increase orders by 30% to address the gap between available inventory and customer demand.
The iPhone Duo went on sale globally on Friday and reportedly sold out almost immediately. Initial availability was largely limited to customers who had placed pre-orders, while the next round of shipments is not expected to begin until 22 January, the report said.
iPhone Duo Shipment Estimates Revised Higher
The Economic Daily reported that initial shipment estimates for the iPhone Duo stood at approximately 6 million units for the current year.
Following the launch, projected shipments have reportedly increased to between 8 million and 10 million units.
The report also indicated that shipments could reach 33 million units by 2027, although the figure remains a projection rather than a confirmed delivery target.
The revised estimates reflect expectations for higher production volumes following the initial release.
Apple’s reported request for a 30% increase in supplier orders is intended to support additional manufacturing capacity and improve product availability.
Foxconn and TSMC Involved in Foldable iPhone Production
According to the report, Foxconn is responsible for assembling the iPhone Duo, while Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) produces the device’s main processor.
Both companies are established participants in Apple’s supply chain.
The reported production increase would require adjustments to manufacturing schedules and component availability as Apple seeks to fulfil additional orders.
The Economic Daily did not provide details about how the proposed increase would be distributed among individual suppliers or when the additional production capacity would become available.
Apple’s First Foldable Smartphone Enters the Market
The iPhone Duo represents Apple’s first entry into the foldable smartphone category, where Samsung and Google already offer competing devices.
The model is priced substantially above comparable foldable smartphones from those manufacturers, according to the report.
Despite the higher pricing, initial demand reportedly exceeded the number of devices available at launch.
However, the reported sell-out does not establish the total volume of customer purchases, as the size of the initial inventory was not disclosed.
The Economic Daily’s figures suggest that Apple and its suppliers are preparing for higher shipment volumes than originally anticipated.
The extent to which these projections translate into actual deliveries will depend on manufacturing capacity, component availability and subsequent customer demand.
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