iPhone Duo Faces Supply Shortages Over Complex Hinge Production
GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu cuts iPhone Duo production forecast to 6 million units due to manufacturing bottlenecks. Launching October 23 at 79,900 Baht.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Jeff Pu cuts iPhone Duo production forecast to 6 million units
- Manufacturing bottlenecks stem from complex hinge production limits
- Production volume sits 12 times lower than Pro and Pro Max models
- Pre-orders started October 16, retail launch on October 23 from 79,900 Baht
Jeff Pu, an analyst from GF Securities, has revised down the production forecast for the iPhone Duo this year to 6 million units, down from the previous estimate of 7 million units. Pu noted that the reduction is driven not by weak consumer demand, but rather by severe manufacturing bottlenecks regarding the hinge mechanism that have delayed assembly lines.
The hinge component of the iPhone Duo represents a major engineering hurdle in the manufacturing workflow. According to official Apple documentation, the device integrates over 100 individual parts, while its hinge cover is formed using 3D printing technology built from recycled titanium.
Pu further highlighted that the projected volume for the iPhone Duo is extremely low when stacked against the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which are expected to reach up to 72 million units by the end of the year—representing a staggering 12-fold difference compared to the foldable model.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"The volume of the iPhone Duo is very low compared to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which are expected to reach up to 72 million units by the end of this year, 12 times that of the iPhone Duo."
Regarding market availability, the iPhone Duo opened for pre-orders on October 16, bypassing the traditional simultaneous release window alongside the Pro lineup, with general retail sales scheduled to kick off on October 23 starting at 79,900 Baht.
Apple's struggle with its inaugural foldable device highlights how micro-engineering precision and strict durability controls on hinge mechanisms remain significant hurdles for tech giants. Utilizing 3D-printed recycled titanium improves strength-to-weight ratios but inherently trades off initial manufacturing yield rates during early commercial scaling phases.
This analysis aligns directly with a previous report published by Nikkei Asia on September 4, ahead of the official launch of the Pro and Duo series. Citing supply chain sources, the report revealed that Apple was producing only a few hundred units per day of the foldable smartphone in late August due to rigorous quality control standards. Apple reportedly ordered an additional test production run in August to optimize yield rates, specifically targeting surface flatness and hinge performance, after having initially targeted an annual output of 8 to 10 million units.
Source: Thairath Lifestyle
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