Apple, which will release a new iPhone next month, is estimated to increase its production by 10% compared to the previous year to around 88 to 90 million units. According to the Nikkei Asian Review on the 29th, Apple is expecting the popularity of its first artificial intelligence (AI) equipped model, the new iPhone 16 series, and has requested suppliers to prepare components for the production of 88 to 90 million units. This exceeds the initial parts order of 80 million units from last year by more than 10%.
Apple is preparing to unveil the first iPhone with Apple Intelligence, which includes a generative AI feature. While the launch event was originally scheduled for September 10, it was moved up a day as it coincided with the date of a U.S. presidential candidate TV debate.
Despite plans to increase the initial production volume, Apple is facing challenges in the Chinese market, where local companies are advancing rapidly, compromising Apple’s 17% share of total revenue. In order to mitigate risks from China in both sales and production sectors, Apple is making efforts to diversify its production bases, such as entrusting the production of the iPhone 16 Pro lineup to an Indian Foxconn plant for the first time this year.