Apple to produce at least 95 million iPhones in H1 2021 – mostly iPhone 12 series

In October last year, Apple officially launched its first-ever 5G smartphones, iPhone 12 series. While the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro has been in the market since launch, the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini have been on the shelves for about two months. However, there are reports that the demand for the iPhone 12 series is very strong. The iPhone 12 Pro seems to be the most attractive device in the series.

The strong demand for iPhone 12 means that Apple needs to increase production in the first half of this year to meet strong market demand. According to Apple’s supply chain, the American company has already placed orders for the first half of the year. The orders show that Apple will produce 95 million to 96 million units, mainly the iPhone 12 series in H1 2021. However, the company will also produce many iPhone 11 and iPhone SE phones.

Apple’s 95 million to 96 million iPhones orders for H1 2021 means that production will increase significantly compared with the same period last year. According to reports, the production orders increased by 30% relative to the same period in 2020. The increase in the iPhone order is basically because of the strong demand for the iPhone 12 series. This puts a lot of pressure on Apple to expand production. 

Apple’s latest orders mean that the performance of its contract manufacturers and component suppliers will increase. An Apple iPhone supplier said that the production plan for the next quarter and the following quarter has been determined and the prospects are quite bright.

BOE reportedly completes its first OLED shipment for the iPhone 12/Pro models

According to recent reports out of China, BOE has completed the first batch of AMOLED panels for Apple’s iPhone smartphones. The report claims that the first shipment has 6.1-inch displays and delivery has 10,000 units. Information from the supply chain claims that this batch of screens will be used on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models. BOE had to combine two of its G6 flexible AMOLED production lines in Chengdu and Mianyang for this delivery. While the panel production takes place in the Chengdu B7 factory, the modules ship from its Mianyang B11 factory. There are reports that BOE may complete a second shipment before January 1st, 2021.

The industry believes that Apple’s OLED iPhone shipments will rise to 180 million units in 2021. Samsung Display will deliver 130 million OLED panels. In addition, BOE and LG Display will deliver 10 million and 40 million respectively. However, there are reports that BOE’s delivery could reach 20 million units.

A few days ago, there were reports that BOE has finally passed Apple’s certification and will start supplying OLED panels to iPhone 12 products as early as this month. This was quite strange considering that the last time BOE failed Apple’s verification is just last month. Initially, there were reports that BOE Display must now wait until the first half of 2021 to retry to reach a supply agreement. However, it appears that it does not have to wait that long. 

With the addition of BOE, the number of display suppliers for Apple is now three. BOE joins Samsung Display (2017) and LG Display (2019). For Apple, it is still looking for more options to boost its supply chain.