Apple is planning to ramp up production of its new iPhone units to record levels. The company has reportedly asked suppliers to manufacture between 85 million and 90 million units by the end of this year.
Last year, Apple ordered 70 million to 80 million units of its iPhone 6 and 6 Plus smartphones.
The new phones will have the same 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen and exterior design as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
It was reported last month that suppliers had commenced initial production of iPhone models with Force Touch technology, which is already used in the Apple Watch and new MacBook Pros.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is also considering to hire a third assembler, Taiwan-based Wistron, to help manufacture the new phones.
Last year, the company primarily depended on Hon Hai Precision Industry and Pegatron for assembling its devices.
People familiar with the matter told the Journal that some component suppliers began manufacturing parts for the new iPhone units in large quantity earlier this month.
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The sales of iPhone units increased 40% in March to 61.2 million. Apple, with its advanced big screen iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, pushed Samsung from its top position as the top smartphone manufacturer in the world.
