TechTrending
Apple has reportedly increased supply-chain orders for its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, by 30% ahead of its October 23 launch. The adjustment suggests preparation for stronger demand than initially planned.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Apple has reportedly increased supply-chain orders for its upcoming foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, by 30%. The adjustment, reported by China’s Securities Times and cited by Seeking Alpha and The Apple Post, indicates the company is preparing for stronger demand than originally planned ahead of the device's release.
According to the Securities Times, Apple made a structural adjustment to its fall 2026 iPhone orders. While the total order volume for the iPhone Duo remains below 10 million units, the 30% increase represents a significant shift from earlier estimates. Seeking Alpha reported that orders increased to around 10 million units from a previous estimate of 6 million.
The Apple Post noted that Counterpoint Research had previously estimated approximately 6 million units could be sold during 2026. Earlier production estimates generally pointed to a limited first-year supply. The increase in orders comes before customers have been able to place paid pre-orders.
Apple is scheduled to open iPhone Duo pre-orders on Friday, October 16, with the device officially launching one week later on October 23. The Apple Post reported that Apple had previously feared production problems could push the launch into late November. However, Bloomberg stated that Apple ultimately built enough inventory to keep the October 23 release on schedule, although initial availability is still expected to be constrained.
The Apple Post emphasized that increasing supply-chain orders by 30% does not necessarily mean every additional device will be available for launch day. Instead, it indicates Apple is planning for substantially more iPhone Duo units than before as the new model enters its first sales period.
The Securities Times report also detailed adjustments to the production mix for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Orders for the iPhone 18 Pro are said to have fallen by between 10% and 15%, while iPhone 18 Pro Max orders have increased by roughly the same amount. Crucially, the report states that combined orders for the iPhone 18 Pro series are unchanged.
This detail differs from an earlier Nikkei Asia report, which stated Apple had reduced component orders for its Pro models amid softer-than-expected demand. The Apple Post previously reported on those iPhone 18 Pro production cuts.
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 in the United States and £1,999 in the United Kingdom. The device pairs a 5.4-inch outer display with a 7.6-inch folding display, which changes windowing, layout, and UI interaction models.
Sauce Labs, a software quality assurance company, announced plans to support the iPhone Duo with advance device reservations open ahead of the release. "iPhone Duo is one of the biggest shifts in iOS form factor and UI design in years," said Prince Kohli, CEO of Sauce Labs. The company stated that physical iPhone Duo devices and simulators are available for automated and live testing to help enterprises verify application correctness before the device reaches users.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
Meta revised its commercial terms for business accounts on Oct. 16, removing the word 'train' from permitted uses of scraped content. The change follows criticism from legal experts and publisher groups.
TechTrending
Siemens executive board member Cedrik Neike announced a goal to raise factory automation to 70%-80% using AI. The company plans a €500 million expansion of its Erlangen site by 2030.