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Apple orders record iPhone 6 numbers to meet demand

Apple has asked suppliers to make between 70 and 80 million iPhone 6 units in time for December, to meet high holiday season demands.

The numbers, which include a combination of the foreseen 4.7 and 5.5-inch handsets, is the largest order Apple has ever placed. Last year, they ordered just 50-60 million iPhone 5s and 5c models.

The spike is likely due to supply issues Apple experienced last year when aforementioned models were released. While Apple expected the pair to sell more evenly, and Tim Cook admitted as much, the 5s saw inflated numbers, potentially due to the major new feature; its Touch ID fingerprint sensor. As a result, the iPhone supply chain was affected for much of 2013.

This new report, however, suggests Apple is preparing for a high number of upgrades, and new customers as the iPhone is expected to go through its largest design overhaul yet.

One of the changes is expected to be a sapphire screen – a highly resilient material that the Touch ID sensor is already made out of. However, this has been reported to potentially be causing problems in manufacturing the 5.5 inch screens, and they may come after the 4.7 inch model.

While Apple’s factories are preparing to work on the new iPhone, rumors are still flying on what the new smartphone could include – the latest being a 13 megapixel camera.

Furthermore, it’s been reported that Apple has asked component makers to supply parts for as many as 120 million new models in case of high failure rates.

Source: The Wall Street Journal