Apple Inc. has asked assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. to begin shipping both a new high-end and low-end iPhone in early September, people familiar with the matter said.
The shipping plans suggest that the two new iPhone models could be launched as soon as next month, pointing to a strategy shift as Apple attempts to regain momentum in the smartphone market.
The company hasn’t previously announced different iPhone models around the same time.
Apple’s suppliers in Asia started mass-producing components in June for both a standard iPhone featuring a metal casing and a lower-cost version, people who work at those companies said.
An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.
The Cupertino, Calif., company has been unveiling new iPhones in the fall since 2011. It is planning a launch event Sept. 10, according to one report.
