Apple plans to launch at least five new iPhone models from the second half of this year to the first half of 2027, Nikkei Asia reported on Thursday, as it seeks to capture a larger share of the market amid industry-wide parts supply shortages.
The U.S. tech giant has told its suppliers to prepare for production of about 10 million foldable iPhones this year, up from the originally expected 7 million to 8 million, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
According to Nikkei Asia, Apple has already secured parts for about 80 million smartphones across new models in the second half of 2026, ahead of the launch of its first-ever foldable device.
According to the report, Apple’s total smartphone production in 2026 is expected to exceed 220 million units. The company’s size and purchasing power in sourcing memory and components remains significantly stronger than most of its peers, even as shortages due to AI-related demand ripple through the industry.
This has allowed Apple to weather the supply shortage better than Chinese rivals such as Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, which have lowered their annual production targets to less than 100 million units, Nikkei Asia reported.
“Compared to Apple’s bargaining power, Chinese smartphone makers are in a weaker position to increase supply of memory chips or raise prices,” an Apple and Xiaomi supplier executive told Nikkei Asia. “This gives Apple a good incentive to launch the iPhone in the spring and take more market share.”
Apple’s efforts to secure components come as a global memory shortage driven by demand from artificial intelligence data centers is driving up costs across the industry.
Bloomberg reported Thursday that Apple is in talks to source memory chips for devices it sells in China from Chinese manufacturers Changxin Memory Technologies and Changjiang Memory Technologies. Both companies are on the Pentagon’s list of companies allegedly supporting the Chinese military. Apple has not confirmed the talks, and Bloomberg reported that negotiations are ongoing.
Apple is reportedly looking to expand its supplier base as memory shortages squeeze production across the consumer electronics sector.
According to Nikkei Asia, Apple plans to announce at least two new iPhones in the first half of 2027, including the standard model iPhone 18 and the new iPhone Air.
The aggressive product roadmap comes after Apple last week raised prices on its MacBook and iPad lineups due to rising memory and storage costs.
Apple did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
