Production on the Apple Watch is set to begin earlier than expected
It’s almost time. Apple assembler Quanta is expected to begin mass production on the Apple Watch in a few weeks, with an initial run of between 3 million and 5 million units, according to Taiwan’s United Daily News (via G for Games).
The report notes that “yield breakthroughs” have made it possible for production on Apple’s first wearable device to begin in January. Previous reports had suggested that production wouldn’t begin until the end of February.
To get the job done, Quanta has increased its number of workers from 2,000 to 10,000. The total number of employees tasked with assembling the Apple Watch could reach 20,000 before hiring ends.
First announced on Sept. 9, the Apple Watch represents Apple’s first new product line of the Tim Cook era. First year sales for the wearable device could fall somewhere between 24 million and 30 million units, according to analysts.
The Apple Watch is also set to come in a range of prices, confirmed to start at $349 for its basic version and rumored to go as high as $5,000 for the most expensive model.
See also: Op-Ed: 5 products that need Apple’s attention in 2015, Apple reportedly hiring fashion and luxury experts to help sell the Apple Watch, and Apple probably won’t release a new iPhone this spring, right?
