Apple faces production issues with iPhone Duo
Apple has encountered difficulties launching production of the first foldable iPhone. According to ZDNet Korea, the main issue is the hinge: suppliers have not yet achieved the required yield rate for functional parts, so only selected units are arriving at Foxconn assembly plants.
Hinge issues
Initially, the American company Amphenol was supposed to be the main supplier of the hinge mechanism. However, its production output fell short of Apple’s expectations, after which the company increased the role of Taiwan’s Shin Zu Shing. At the same time, this supplier also faced low yields of good parts. Sources from the publication claim that Shin Zu Shing still cannot stably produce the required volume of components meeting Apple’s requirements.
As a result, only selected units that meet Apple’s requirements are sent to Foxconn assembly plants. In the industry, these products are called “golden samples.” Challenges also stem from the mechanism’s design itself. Apple uses an iPhone Duo hinge with 3D-printed elements, consisting of more than 100 components. The drive to make the smartphone thinner complicates the design and raises manufacturing precision requirements.
Display issues
Manufacturing challenges are not limited to the hinge. Issues have also arisen with the flexible substrate beneath the OLED display. This component supports the panel during folding and unfolding, helping to enhance its durability and reduce the visibility of the crease. One of the manufacturers of this component is China’s Lingyi iTech. According to sources, the company is also facing difficulties in transitioning to stable mass production.
At the same time, the situation with other components appears less critical. According to ZDNet Korea, among the key details of the iPhone Duo, the hinge is currently considered the most problematic component in terms of mass production.
Apple’s plans
Despite the challenges, Apple maintains sufficiently ambitious production plans. As reported, the company has provided component suppliers with a forecast of approximately 5-6 million finished iPhone Duo units by the end of 2026. The number of ordered components may exceed the number of smartphones themselves. Apple must account for manufacturing defects, losses during final assembly, and potential needs for spare parts to repair already sold devices.
Production challenges may also explain the unusually large gap between the presentation and the actual sales launch. Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo on September 9, but preorders will not begin until October 16, with sales starting on October 23.
