Apple plans to manufacture up to 96 million iPhones in the first half of 2021, targeting a nearly 30 percent year-on-year increase, Nikkei reported.
Apple has asked iPhone suppliers to produce around 95 million to 96 million iPhones, including the latest iPhone 12 range as well as older iPhone 11 and SE, though shortage of key parts could threaten the target, the report said.

This would mark a 20 percent rise from 2019 though the target will be regularly reviewed and revised in response to any changes in consumer demand.

The tentative full-year forecast that the iPhone maker shared with its suppliers suggests it plans to make up to 230 million iPhones in 2021, including both old and new models, the report said.

A research report from TrendForce indicated that the production volume of iPhone is at roughly 194 million units during 2020 as compared with 194 million last year.

The estimated global production volume of smartphones for 2020 is approximately 1.25 billion units, with a deterioration of 11 percent, TrendForce said.