Apple ramps up production of folding phone after demand surge
The tech giant has raised its first-year shipment target to 14 million units after initial orders caused delivery dates to slip significantly.
By Khalid Rahman ·
Apple has officially increased its manufacturing targets for the iPhone Duo, raising the planned shipment volume by more than 40 percent in direct response to overwhelming consumer interest. This significant production boost confirms that the initial delays in delivery were driven by genuine demand rather than supply chain inefficiencies, marking a strong start for the company's first foldable device.
The numbers behind this expansion are substantial. Supply chain reports indicate that Apple has adjusted its shipment goals from an initial projection of 9.7 million units to a new target of 14 million units over the first twelve months of the product's life. This upward revision reflects the company's confidence that strong sales will continue well beyond the launch window, necessitating a faster ramp-up in factory output to meet customer expectations.
The immediate reaction from buyers was visible the moment pre-orders opened on Friday. Customers quickly reported receiving extended delivery estimates, with some dates pushed into late January. While Apple attributed these delays to what it termed “extraordinary” demand, a description it has used for previous iPhone launches, the rapid adjustment of some shipping dates to earlier windows suggests a proactive effort to stabilize the backlog. To manage the influx and curb scalping, the company limited purchases to a maximum of two units per customer.
The people involved in this rollout are facing a mix of excitement and technical adjustments. Early adopters are navigating a landscape where third-party applications have not yet been fully optimized for the new hardware. However, Apple states that this situation is improving rapidly as developers adapt their software. Initial reviews based on a week of usage consistently highlight app support as a key area of focus, alongside the device's return to Touch ID security features.
The stakes for this new product category are high, as it represents Apple's entry into the competitive foldable smartphone market. The shift in production targets signals a strategic commitment to the format, moving beyond a limited initial release. Furthermore, recent reports indicate that Apple is already testing prototypes for the iPhone Duo 2 with Face ID, suggesting that the company is actively addressing the security downgrade from the first model while preparing for the next iteration of the device.
For readers in the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, these changes mean that while wait times may still vary, the supply pipeline is being significantly strengthened. The move from 9.7 million to 14 million units is not just a logistical adjustment but a statement of intent. As the supply chain tightens and developers finalize app compatibility, the iPhone Duo is set to become a major player in the regional market, with its future trajectory now firmly tied to the sustained demand observed in the first few days of pre-orders.
Source: 9to5Mac
