Apple Watch to go into mass production in January 2015
Despite being launched with the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, reports online suggest that the Apple Watch may not go into mass production until January 2015.
Rumors of early production issues have been cited as cause for the delay, with some suggesting a change in suppliers could be the problem. Initially it was thought the Apple Watch would be assembled by two suppliers, however new reports suggest that has been reduced to one.
The Apple Watch is the company’s first foray into the wearables market.
At the launch event on September 9, Apple said the watch would be available in early 2015 but didn't give a specific time frame. However, experts believe that in order to launch the watch first thing next year, large-scale production should have already gotten under way.
Rumors had suggested that the watch would be assembled by two suppliers - Quanta Computer and Inventec – however Quanta is now thought to be the lone supplier.
Quanta has reportedly starting preparing for mass production of the watch by upping the number of its workers to four million. Apple and Quanta have also allegedly agreed to a deal in which Quanta would not make smart watches for any of Apple's rivals.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.