Apple’s new iPhones are expected to launch later this year. Whether or not we’ll be seeing a third iPhone in the form of the iPhone 8 remains to be seen, but it’s safe to assume that Apple will be launching successors to last year’s iPhone 7 models. This is why it doesn’t come as a surprise to learn that mass production of iPhone components are apparently underway.
In a report from DigiTimes, the publication claims that Apple’s upstream supply chain have begun to mass produce the components necessary for Apple’s next-gen iPhones, which includes a 4.7-inch iPhone 7s, a 5.5-inch iPhone 7s Plus, and a 5.8-inch iPhone model that will sport a reinforced glass chassis, a metal frame, and an AMOLED panel, which is believed to be the iPhone 8.
The report goes on to state that Samsung will apparently be the ones who will be supplying Apple with the AMOLED display panels for the iPhone 8, and that the company is rumored to supply as many as 80 million units. Assuming this is true (DigiTimes has a spotty record), it means that Apple could be anticipating as many as 80 million units sold for the iPhone 8.
As for the other models, DigiTimes’ sources claim that Apple is estimating anywhere between 25-30 million units shipped in the second half. Take it with a grain of salt for now, but like we said for mass production to begin in time for a September launch would make sense.