Apple aims to increase iPhone output by 4% through March

Suppliers asked to crank out 5G parts despite coronavirus fears

iPhone 11 series smartphones on display at the Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino, California: Apple is asking its parts suppliers to step up output, but some doubt whether it can meet its sales targets. © AP

NAOKI WATANABE and HIDEAKI RYUGEN, Nikkei staff writers

April 21, 2020 21:18 JST

TOKYO -- Apple has notified several of its suppliers that it plans to make about 213 million iPhones in the 12 months through March 2021, up 4% from the same period a year ago, despite some suppliers' belief that orders could end up being significantly lower, Nikkei has learned.

Apple has shuttered most of its stores around the world since mid-March as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues. But the company is expected to build up inventories of its new 5G phones due to concerns over possible component shortages, despite the possibility of falling global demand.