Apple seeks 20% rise in new iPhone production for 2021, sees more demand
Apple Inc. has asked suppliers to build as many as 90
million next-generation iPhones this year, a sharp increase from its 2020 iPhone shipments,
according to people with knowledge of the matter.
The Cupertino, California-based tech giant has maintained a
consistent level in recent years of roughly 75 million units for the initial
run from a device’s launch through the end of the year. The upgraded forecast
for 2021 would suggest the company anticipates its first iPhone launch since
the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines will unlock additional demand. The next
iPhones will be Apple’s second with 5G, a key enticement pushing users to
upgrade.
This year’s update will be more incremental than last year’s iPhone 12,
emphasizing processor, camera and display improvements, the people said, asking
not to be named as the plans are not public. Apple is planning
updates to all of the current models, spanning the 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch
regular versions and the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch Pro models. The phones,
codenamed D16, D17, D63, and D64, are all expected to be announced in
September, earlier than last year’s October introduction partly thanks to the
supply chain recovering.
At least one of the new versions will have an LTPO
(low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) display capable of alternating its
refresh rate based on the content being shown. Apple has used this
technology in the Apple Watch for several years, allowing the screen to be
slower in certain situations--such as the Always On mode--to extend battery
life. Oppo, OnePlus and Samsung Electronics Co. already have LTPO screens in
their flagship phones. The new iPhones with LTPO displays will also use IGZO
(indium gallium zinc oxide) technology for improved power efficiency and
responsiveness.
While the design of the new Apple phones will remain largely
unchanged, the company plans to reduce the size of the front-facing camera and
face unlock sensor cutout, or notch, to better match its rivals. The company
hopes to eventually remove the notch entirely in a future version of the iPhone
and is likely to shrink its size further next year.
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