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Apple orders bucketloads of iPhone 9 units as device enters trial production

Published: Jan 31, 2020, 1:16 PM

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Apple orders bucketloads of iPhone 9 units as device enters trial production

iPhone 9 CAD-based render

The iPhone 9 is now less than two months away and Apple has reportedly taken a big step towards starting mass production and ensuring there’s enough stock to meet the anticipated demand.

Apple has ordered 30 million iPhone 9 units

Citing reliable sources within the supply chain, MyDrivers is today claiming Apple has finally started trial production of the highly anticipated iPhone 9. This process will be used to iron out any issues and ensure assembly lines are running smoothly.

If everything goes to plan and there are no major problems, Apple should start full mass production in mid-February. This will give the company around six weeks to build up a large level of stock ahead of the smartphone’s official introduction in March.

Apple has reportedly ordered an early batch of 30 million units of the iPhone 9. Of course, as CEO Tim Cook admitted during Apple's most recent earnings call, the ongoing coronavirus outbreak has the potential to impact production in China, which means some units could be delayed by a few weeks.

iPhone 9 CAD-based render

On the bright side, the phone’s debut has the potential to provide a strong boost to Apple’s financial results in the second quarter of 2020. MyDrivers believes it will also push total iPhone shipments for the year above 200 million units.

Last year, the company narrowly missed the sales milestone with shipments of 196.2 million units between January and December 2019, according to Counterpoint Research.

The iPhone 9 will be accompanied by the 2020 iPad Pro

The iPhone 9 will reportedly offer a 4.7-inch LCD screen coupled with the Apple A13 Bionic chipset, a Touch ID home button, and a single rear for just $399. But it’s far from the only product Apple has up its sleeves for the coming months.

Joining the budget iPhone in March looks set to be a revamped iPad Pro lineup complete with the upcoming A13X Bionic processor and an advanced triple-camera setup on the back that incorporates an entirely new 3D sensing system.

Previous reports suggest the latter will be even more powerful than Apple’s existing Face ID technology, which was introduced in September 2017 on the iPhone X. It’s expected to be the ‘centerpiece’ of Apple’s AR push.

2020 iPad Pro CAD-based render

A premium version of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is reportedly being developed alongside the two tablets expected to debut in March. This version, however, won't arrive until September and will incorporate a new A14X Bionic chipset and a mini-LED display, which should provide a drastic improvement in quality over the existing LCD screens.

Premium headphones, AirTags, and a wireless charger are also coming

Apple has also been working on Tile-like tracking tags for months under the name ‘AirTags.’ They rely on the U1 Ultra Wideband chip included inside the iPhone 11 series and should allow users to track items with much more accuracy than permitted over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

This accessory is believed to be on track for a debut at the March event, although Apple could delay it until WWDC in June.

Another product rumored to be making an appearance in the coming months is a mysterious 'small charging mat' that, unlike the canceled AirPower alternative, can apparently charge just one iPhone, Apple Watch, or set of AirPods at a time.

The canceled AirPower charging mat

Lastly, Apple is said to be planning a pair of premium over-ear Bluetooth headphones. The product has reportedly been under development for over two years but, following several delays, is finally expected to make an appearance in the near future.