In anticipation of high demand when the iPhone 6s release date hits, Apple is reportedly looking to add another supplier to avoid delay and availability issues that plagued last year's iPhone lineup.
"Apple is asking suppliers to manufacturer between 85 million to 90 million units combined of two new iPhone models with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays by [December] 31, according to people familiar with the matter," The Wall Street Journal said.
The report corroborates earlier reports that the Cupertino tech giant is bracing for high demand of its upcoming iPhone flagship devices.
By contrast, last year's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus orders ran up to 70 million to 80 million units during their initial production run, according to the report.
Production orders for the new iPhones are said to come from Apple's suppliers. Long-time supplier Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn, and Pegatron Corp. are tasked with fulfilling manufacturing orders.
A third supplier, Wistron Corp, is supposedly being considered in anticipation for high demand. If it passes Apple's production test, it would be the first time the tech giant would use three suppliers for its iPhone lineup.
According to WSJ, "The strategy limits the exposure from relying too heavily on a single supplier for products that need to reach market quickly and in very high volumes."
Months away from the iPhone 6s release date, production for the next-gen iOS flagship is said to have already started.
Last month, 9to5 Mac showed off the 6s' external casing allegedly from "a proven source familiar with Apple's supply chain."
Reveal: iPhone 6S will look nearly identical outside, expect numerous changes inside [Gallery]https://t.co/mJjVzSIC1t pic.twitter.com/hsGuAldPXW
— 9to5Mac (@9to5mac) June 30, 2015
Externally, the iPhone 6s will be nearly identical to its predecessor and will retain its 4.7-inch form factor but will be marginally thicker or wider. The next-gen model will also have the same connectors, microphones, speakers and antennas. Holes for the camera and LED flash are "seemingly identical" as well.
See the rest of the photos here.
Other specs reported by Franchise Herald include a stronger 7,000 Series aluminum, improved front camera, 2GB of RAM and Force Touch pressure-sensitive display.
As with the last generation, the iPhone 6s release date is expected sometime around September.
