Apple eyes 10% production boost but suppliers fear coronavirus

Planned increase in iPhones faces 'massive uncertainties'

Rising orders for Apple iPhones helped double the company's share price over the past year, though its Asian suppliers now warn that China's coronavirus has created "massive uncertainties" about iPhone production. (Nikkei montage/source photo by Reuters and Getty Images)

CHENG TING-FANG and LAULY LI, Nikkei staff writers

January 28, 2020 13:15 JST

TAIPEI -- Apple has asked suppliers to make up to 80 million iPhones over the first half of this year, people familiar with its planning told the Nikkei Asian Review, an increase of over 10% from last year's production schedule that could boost the company's near-record share price.