Apple Asks TSMC to Up A13 Chip Production Due to High Demand for 11 and 11 Pro

Apple is most certainly doomed!

Wait, what, increase?!

Maybe the rebranding to remove the "XR" is the cause for the increase in sales? Any other theories on why this might be selling better than last year's model?

iPhone 6 going out of support is a huge factor. The fact is, those were the biggest selling iPhones

from wafer start to assembled chip ship for phone assembly you are looking at a 2.5 - 3 months lead-time, so if these are for increased 11/11Pro demand, it's too late ... if they increased orders now, its for the new iPhone that will be assembled in ~ Apr timeframe ... this article doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Even if your speculative guess is true, they plan on selling the iPhone 11 through 2020, so it still makes sense. Plus, many of their orders are for replenishing inventories that are likely dwindling faster than expected.

Apple likely plans months in advance, so this would be for anticipated sales. Apple is world class at having product available, so this isn’t some rush to get some on the shelves next week.

It’s not because of high demand of current flagships, it is for upcoming iPhone 9 ( possible name ).

Maybe the rebranding to remove the "XR" is the cause for the increase in sales? Any other theories on why this might be selling better than last year's model?

I think the naming is way better now than in 2018. Xs was the obvious successor to the iPhone X, and Xr was something "different", something less than the Xs.
Now the naming makes more sense, you have iPhone 11, so the standard iPhone, and then the Pro model with more features.
From a marketing perspective is better to have this naming instead of letters. I don't think it is the main reason why 11 is selling more than Xr, but I think it helps

I don't know about others but I went with the Pro Max for the battery. All my iPhones have been positively horrid on battery life. For once, it's been really great and I'm not stuck by a charger all day long. I just hope new iOS versions don't totally obliterate this new found freedom I've gained.

I hadn't upgraded since the 7 Plus. Though I did try an XS and an 11. Both were mediocre in battery and sound quality.

This Pro Max does well.

Yep I did upgrade from 7 plus to 11 pro max.
Part of my 3 and half - 4 years upgrade cycle.
I found that this is the best interval to upgrade to feel the bump in technology and to be financially aware.

either way iPhones consistently keep their strength for 2-3 years and they degrade after the third slowly: battery or OS is to much for them to handle.