Apple suppliers have delayed the production of a larger iPad to "early" next year, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people "familiar with the matter."
Suppliers had planned to start producing the larger screen tablet device in mass volume starting in December, but have been struggling to make enough new iPhones to keep up with demand.
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus went on sale in 10 countries on Sept. 19. Apple has expanded to other countries recently and is expected to start selling new phones in China on Oct. 17.
The company is expected to give an update on iPhone sales on Oct. 20.
Apple sold more than 10 million of its new iPhones in the first weekend they were available last month.
"The top priority for the supply chain is to meet the overwhelming demand for the larger screen iPhones. The output of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus remains unsatisfactory," said a person at a supplier. "It would be challenging for display makers to split resources and spend a few months to ramp up production for a new larger screen iPad now."
Foxconn Technology, which assembles iPads and iPhones, has 200,000 workers in China putting together new iPhones and making items like metal casings, the report says.
Apple expects to launch the new iPads at an event on Oct. 16.
The Cupertino-company hasn't commented yet regarding the news.
Asian suppliers expect Apple's larger tablet to have a 12.9-inch liquid-crystal-display screen with a resolution similar to the iPad Air launched in October 2013.
"If Apple were to launch a larger iPad, it would need to make better use of the screen real estate. Introducing better multitasking capabilities would certainly drive interest," said Tim Coulling, analyst at Canalys, according to the WSJ.
Data research firm IDC said back in August that it expected tablet sales to slow globally in 2014.
Suppliers are also preparing for mass production of a 12-inch MacBook Air in December, featuring a higher resolution display, people familiar with the matter said.
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