Mobile component maker Foxconn today said it expects to manufacture 90 million units of the sixth version of Apple's iconic iPhone this year.
The California-headquartered firm is yet to announce the launch of iPhone 6. However, analysts suggest the smartphone could be launched in fall (Autumn) this year, which is usually the time when Apple unveils its handset offerings.
"Foxconn is expecting to manufacture 90 million units of the iPhone 6 from Apple in 2014. These orders are expected to land across the year," Taiwan-based Foxconn said.
The growth rate of global smartphone shipments are expected to land at 28 per cent in 2014 as compared to 40 per cent in 2013, it added.
Sales of smartphones in mature markets are likely to edge up only 4 per cent, down from 5 per cent a year ago, it said.
"Foxconn is expected to post an EPS of New Taiwan Dollar 9.29 (USD 0.31) in 2014 and New Taiwan Dollar 10.26 in 2015," the firm added.
According to research firm IDC, Apple will release a large-screen version in 2014, but will not altogether abandon the smaller 4-inch screen version of previous models.
The research firm said iOS operating system posted its lowest positive growth for the quarter (Oct-Dec 2013) at 6.7 per cent and for the year at 12.9 per cent, under performing the overall market in both instances.
In calendar year 2013, Apple sold 793.6 million units of its smartphone operating system (iOS) against 500.1 million in 2012.
Shipments of iOS-enabled smartphones stood at 51 million units in October-December last year from 47.8 million in the year-ago period.
In 2012, Apple's smartphone operating system shipments rose by 46 per cent to 135.9 million units against 93.1 million units in 2011. For Q4 2012, shipments rose by 29.2 per cent to 47.8 million units against 37 million in the same period of 2011.
According to research firm Canalys, iOS shipments in 2011 rose by 96 per cent to 93.1 million units compared to 2010.
