Apple Ramps Up Folding iPhone Production After Pre-Orders Vanish

Apple is moving fast to keep up with a wave of pre-orders for its new folding iPhone. The company has reportedly lifted shipment targets for the device by more than 40%, according to supply chain reports. The move follows what Apple called "extraordinary" demand for the handset. Pre-orders opened Friday, and delivery dates began slipping almost immediately.

Within the first minute of orders going live, customers started seeing extended shipping windows. Some buyers were initially told their devices would not arrive until late January. Apple pointed to high demand for its first folding phone as the reason. The company has frequently used the word "extraordinary" to describe launch demand for new iPhone models.

Apple also put a cap on how many units one person could order. The limit was set at two per customer. The company said the restriction was meant to slow down scalpers. Still, many customers who ordered the device were later given earlier estimated shipping dates. Those earlier dates suggest Apple is moving to meet the demand it initially could not fill.

A report from DigiTimes, citing supply chain sources, indicates Apple has ramped up production. The company has reportedly raised its shipment targets for the first 12 months. The figure was lifted from 9.7 million units to 14 million. The report suggests Apple expects strong demand for the device to continue.

Early buyers have run into one notable hurdle with the new phone. Many third-party apps are not yet optimized for the device. Apple has said the situation is improving quickly as developers update their apps. The company has pointed to the work developers are doing to support the new form factor. Apple says support from developers is growing as they adapt to the new screen.

Reviews based on one week of use have begun to surface. They present a consistent view of the device. App support is one of five key takeaways from those early reviews. Another takeaway concerns the device's security features. The phone uses Touch ID rather than Face ID for unlocking.

Apple is already looking ahead to what comes next. Reports say the company is testing prototypes of a second version of the phone. Those prototypes are equipped with Face ID. The company has not shared plans or timing for a successor. The current model remains the only folding iPhone on the market.