Apple will manufacture just 20 million iPhone X handsets this year, according to sources. That’s half the number it originally planned to produce in 2017, and it’s all due to “technical issues” surrounding Face ID components.

Apple’s last major iPhone upgrade was the iPhone 6. It brought an all-new design, bigger and sharper displays, and advanced iSight cameras. Sales topped a record 10 million units during its first weekend of availability, and reached almost 20 million during the first month.

iPhone X is bigger and better. It’s Apple’s most exciting smartphone since the original iPhone. It has the potential to become the first handset to outperform the iPhone 6. But there’s just one, massive problem: Apple simply can’t make enough.

The company will manufacture just 20 million units this year, according to Nikkei Asian Review. It is only able to produce around 10 million units per month as things stand. Supply constraints with Face ID components are to blame.

New suppliers could help

Manufacturing problems have been plaguing iPhone X for months. It began with defects in the bonding process for its new OLED display, but this was largely rectified in July. Issues in the assembly of Face ID components then followed, and Apple has been unable to find a solution.

“Manufacturers were only able to improve the first pass yield — the number of good units — toward the end of September,” the report adds. Apple is said to be lining up new manufacturers for certain parts that could improve rapidly output volumes, but nothing is concrete yet.

iPhone X will be available to pre-order this Friday, October 27, but initial supplies are expected to sell out in seconds. It will make its official debut on November 3, and according to a recent report, just 2-3 million units will be ready by then.

Source: cult of mac