Apple asked part suppliers to delay a portion of their shipments for the fourth quarter of 2011 to the first quarter of 2012, according to DigiTimes.

“Apple is likely to adjust downward its shipments of iPhones and iPads from related suppliers by 10-15% in the fourth quarter,” wrote the technology website. “Some international IC players have also indicated that their revenues are likely to slide by 10-15% in the fourth quarter due to the shipment adjustments for iPhone 4S.”

The recent request to delay shipment is due to lower-than-expected pre-sales of iPhone 4S, according to the report.

The suppliers involved include case and camera lens makers along with ODM assemblers.

Another reason Apple might have requested the delay could be due to the suppliers not being able to produce the needed parts fast enough.

Some part suppliers reported Apple’s mobile device October revenues were lower than September’s.

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DigiTimes’ credibility for reporting on instances such as this one has been brought into question by other publications, such as 9to5Mac.

The website said DigiTimes has a “notoriously mixed track record” when it comes to these types of reports.

Apple said the iPhone 4S launch was the most successful one to date.

Not only did the company sell over four million pre-orders on the launch weekend, but pre-orders for the Hong Kong release sold out in only 10 minutes.

Apple’s iPhone 4S sales doubled those of the iPhone 4, according to the company.

The iPhone 5 is expected to launch sometime in 2012.

If the DigiTimes report is true, the delay could be due to Apple concentrating on the new iPhone and not focused on pushing the current version.