Even with declining iPhone sales, the iPhone SE might just prove to be a hit.
A new supply chain rumor has indicated that Apple has increased orders for its new low-end iPhone SE, and plans to build more than 5 million units this quarter alone, as the company continues to struggle to keep up with demand for the 4-inch handset.
The supplies have been constrained since launch and as of Tuesday, predicted shipping times run from two to three weeks on Apple’s web site.
As a result, Apple may be upping production and it was reported that chipmakers have increased component orders for the iPhone SE.
While Apple was apparently previously planning to build between 3.5 million and 4 million iPhone SE units in the current quarter, Tuesday’s report suggests that Apple has revised those orders upward to more than 5 million units.
It also said that third-quarter iPhone SE orders will be similar to the second quarter, which would indicate Apple expects demand for the entry-level model to remain robust.
Since it launched in March, the iPhone SE has attracted not only new iPhone users and switchers, but also existing customers looking for the latest features — like an A9 chip and 12-megapixel camera — inside a compact 4-inch form factor. The iPhone SE is also the most aggressively priced new iPhone yet, starting a $399 for 16 gigabytes of storage, and increasing to $499 for a 64-gigabyte model.
It’s been speculated that the iPhone SE appeals to the entry-level and mid-range segments of the smartphone market, although it’s thought that Apple has slowed the pace of its iPhone 6s orders in line with an expected “iPhone 7” launch this September.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider and DigiTimes