A recent report from a Chinese media Jiemian News offers an update on iPhone Duo production, including number of units made, assembly issues, and more.
Latest iPhone Duo report covers production challenges, target inventory, and more
The iPhone Duo will be available for pre-order on October 16, in just over two weeks. And a recent report from Jiemian News provides the latest update on Apple’s production status.
We’ve already seen reports that Apple’s foldable is seeing a slow ramp-up due to a complex assembly process.
Currently, the iPhone Duo assembly efficiency is said to be just over 60%. And by Jiemiansuppliers estimate that it may take another six months or more for production yields to reach a “mature” level.
That’s well below what you might expect for other models, but perhaps that’s not surprising given that the Duo is packed with all-new product and component designs.
According to the report, Apple aims to have 6-8 million iPhone Duo units are ready to go for 2026. That compares to a typical 20 to 30 million units for a new flagship Pro or Pro Max model.
With a starting price of $1,999 and a unique form factor, the iPhone Duo doesn’t target as broad a user group as models like the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The overall market for foldable products also remains a niche market.
If Apple sells nearly 8 million units before the end of 2026, it will undoubtedly be considered a major victory. But the iPhone Duo’s success will ultimately depend more on its popularity over time. Will it only be an early adopter model, or will it prove successful in the mass market as well?
A source said Jiemian that Apple has so far been unwilling to relax its strict quality standards for the iPhone Duo, thus leading to lower than expected returns. While this could potentially lead to shortages when the new model launches, I suspect anyone spending more than $2,000 on an iPhone will want the highest quality product, so it’s not exactly bad news.
Are you considering buying an iPhone Duo? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.
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