According to the Nikkei newspaper Jobs’ Mob has asked suppliers to produce around 95 million to 96 million iPhones, including the latest iPhone 12 range as well as older iPhone 11 and SE.

This would mark a 20 per cent rise from 2019 though the target will be regularly reviewed and revised in response if consumers just say no and buy better products much cheaper.

The tentative full-year forecast that the iPhone maker shared with its suppliers suggests it plans to make up to 230 million iPhones in 2021, including both old and new models, the report said.

Apple is saying nothing, of course.