Supply-chain sources claim Apple aiming to make a massive 100m iPhone 7 units by year-end

After two U.S. carriers reported record pre-orders for the iPhone 7, a supply-chain source claims that Apple is aiming to make nearly 100m iPhone 7 devices by the end of the year. This is dramatically higher than had earlier been predicted.

The source is Digitimes, a site with a very mixed track-record, but it does somewhat gel with the carrier reports that the new iPhone is selling rather better than expected. The source said that Apple’s initial orders were 15-25% lower than those for the iPhone 6s, but have been ramped up in response to demand.

The report suggests that the orders are likely to be firmed-up after mid-October, when Apple will have a clearer idea of ongoing demand. A much earlier report had suggested that Apple was initially aiming for production in the 72-78M range.

Apple is not releasing opening weekend sales this year, saying that early sales would be governed by supply rather than demand. The company’s guidance back in July suggested that it was expecting disappointing sales, but perhaps things are now looking rather rosier?