Apple is preparing for a larger initial production run of its next iPhone, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal. Apple is asking suppliers to manufacture 85-90 million units combined of two new iPhone models with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays by end of this year. The screen sizes are the same as in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
By comparison, Apple last year ordered a then-record initial production run of 70-80 million for its Phones. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment. In the six months to March, Apple sold 135.6 million iPhones, a 43 percent increase from the same period a year earlier.
The changes in the iPhone models expected to be released later this year will be less noticeable than last year’s, according to the paper's sources. The phones are expected to feature Apple’s Force Touch technology that can distinguish between a light tap and deep press. This feature is already available on the Apple Watch and MacBook.
In addition to keeping the display size unchanged, Apple is expected to keep the screen resolution about the same, while it may offer a fourth colour for the aluminium casing of the iPhone. To help produce the new phones, Apple is considering a third assembler, Wistron, the people familiar with the matter said. Last year, Apple relied on Hon Hai and Pegatron.
