Apple plans five new iPhones through 2027, eyes Chinese chips for foldable push, reports say

• Apple has secured components for 80 million smartphones for late 2026, with total 2026 production expected to exceed 220 million units, far outpacing Chinese rivals like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo who cut targets below 100 million each
• Apple is reportedly in talks with Chinese chipmakers ChangXin Memory Technologies and Yangtze Memory Technologies to source memory chips for devices sold in China, both firms appearing on U.S. lists of companies allegedly supporting Beijing's military
• The product roadmap includes at least two new iPhones in early 2027 (standard iPhone 18 and new iPhone Air), following recent price hikes for MacBook and iPad lineups due to surging memory and storage costs

Summary

Apple is accelerating its product pipeline with plans to launch at least five new iPhone models between H2 2025 and H1 2027, according to Nikkei Asia. The company has significantly increased its foldable iPhone production target to 10 million units this year, up from an earlier estimate of 7-8 million units, marking its first entry into the foldable device market.

Key Production Figures:

• 80 million components secured for new models in H2 2026
• Total 2026 smartphone production expected to exceed 220 million units
• At least two new models planned for H1 2027, including the iPhone 18 and a new iPhone Air

Supply Chain Strategy:

Bloomberg reports Apple is in talks with Chinese chipmakers ChangXin Memory Technologies and Yangtze Memory Technologies to source memory chips for China-sold devices. Both suppliers are on a U.S. list of companies allegedly supporting Beijing's military. This move aims to diversify Apple's supplier base amid a global memory shortage driven by AI data center demand.

Competitive Advantage:

Apple's substantial purchasing power has allowed it to navigate component shortages more effectively than Chinese rivals Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo, which have each reduced annual production targets below 100 million units. An industry executive noted Apple's superior bargaining position in securing memory chip supplies.

Market Context:

The aggressive expansion comes as memory and storage costs surge, prompting Apple to recently implement price hikes on MacBook and iPad products. The company's strategy aims to capture greater market share during an industrywide component supply shortage affecting consumer electronics manufacturers.

Apple has not commented on these reports.