Apple is reportedly preparing one of its most ambitious product expansions in years, with plans to introduce at least five new iPhone models between late 2026 and early 2027. According to reports from Nikkei Asia, the tech giant is also ramping up production of its long-rumored foldable iPhone, signaling a major shift in its smartphone strategy as competition intensifies and demand for advanced devices continues to grow worldwide.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Apple has asked suppliers to prepare for the production of around 10 million foldable iPhones, a significant increase from earlier estimates of 7 to 8 million units. The company has reportedly already secured key components for approximately 80 million smartphones scheduled for release in the second half of 2026, highlighting its confidence in future demand and its ability to secure critical supplies despite ongoing industry challenges.
The move comes at a time when the global technology sector is facing a shortage of memory chips, largely driven by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centers. While many smartphone manufacturers are struggling to secure enough components, Apple’s enormous purchasing power and strong supplier relationships have helped it maintain an advantage. Reports indicate that Chinese smartphone brands such as Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo have reduced their production targets as they grapple with supply constraints and rising costs.
To further strengthen its supply chain, Apple is reportedly exploring partnerships with Chinese memory chip makers ChangXin Memory Technologies and Yangtze Memory Technologies for devices sold within China. Although discussions are said to be ongoing and have not been officially confirmed by Apple, the move reflects the company’s efforts to diversify its supplier network and reduce the impact of global component shortages on future product launches.
Looking ahead, Apple is expected to unveil at least two additional iPhone models in the first half of 2027, including the standard iPhone 18 and a new iPhone Air. The aggressive rollout strategy follows recent price increases across Apple’s MacBook and iPad ranges as memory and storage costs continue to climb. If the reports prove accurate, Apple’s combination of foldable technology, expanded product offerings, and supply chain resilience could help the company capture a larger share of the global smartphone market in the years ahead.
source: cnbc
