Apple preparing 75 Million 5G iPhones alongside new watches and iPad

The US technology giant plans to launch four new 5G iPhone models in October, featuring a different design and a wider choice of screen sizes

While the Covid-19 outbreak has hammered the global economy, Apple is seeing strong demand for iPhones, iPads and Mac computers from people working and studying remotely

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Customers at the Apple Store at Festival Walk, in Kowloon Tong, check out the iPhone 11 models in September of last year. This year’s new models are expected to launch in October. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 6:10pm, 1 Sep 2020Updated: 6:10pm, 1 Sep 2020

Apple has asked suppliers to build at least 75 million 5G iPhones for later this year, roughly in line with last year’s launch, in a sign that demand for the company’s most important product is holding up in the midst of the global pandemic and recession.

The Cupertino, California-based technology giant anticipates shipments of these next-generation iPhones may reach as high as 80 million units in 2020, according to people familiar with the situation. Apple plans to launch four new models in October with 5G wireless speeds, a different design and a wider choice of screen sizes, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing unannounced products.

Among a comprehensive product refresh this autumn, Apple is also preparing a new iPad Air with an edge-to-edge iPad Pro-like screen, two new Apple Watch versions and its first over-the-ear headphones outside the Beats brand. A smaller HomePod speaker is in the works, too.

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.

Shares of suppliers to the Silicon Valley giant rose on Tuesday. Chip maker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co and LG Display Co closed 2 per cent up, lens supplier Largan Precision Co climbed 4.1 per cent and headphones assembler Goertek gained 2.1 per cent.