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Apple Watch heading to production earlier than expected, iPhone 6s not so lucky

Published Dec 11th, 2014 8:35AM EST
iPhone 6s and Apple Watch Rumors
Image: Apple Inc.

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Apple’s suppliers may have significantly improved production yields for the Apple Watch, Chinese publication Economic Daily News reports, with mass-production expected to start earlier than initially anticipated. However, Apple is not likely to launch an updated iPhone 6s model in Spring, as some wild speculations suggested, the same source has revealed.

FROM EARLIER: This is the most shocking iPhone 6s rumor yet

Even though previous reports said Apple might be facing certain delays for the Apple Watch, it looks like Apple suppliers managed to achieve various production breakthroughs for critical smartwatch components including its display, processor, chips, chassis and other parts.

Quanta is expected to start mass-production in January, rather than February, and make from 3 million to 5 million devices for Apple initially, with the company reportedly having ordered some 24 million Apple Watches for the entire year. The supplier has already hired 10,000 employees for the Apple Watch, and it’s looking to add more workforce to handle Apple’s demands.

Sources familiar with Apple’s supply chain operations have revealed that an early iPhone 6s launch is not likely, as the company has yet to order upgraded components for such a device, such as a next-gen A9 processor. The iPhone 6s is expected to be similar to the iPhone 6 when it comes to design but it will also sport improved internal components, which is what Apple has done with every iPhone launch following a major redesign starting with the iPhone 3G/3GS pair.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.