As we inch closer to the release of the iPhone 17 in September, Apple is ramping up its supply chain production. According to a new report from Digitimes today, Apple and its supply chain partners recently competed the first step of its Engineering Validation Test (EVT) process for the iPhone 17 lineup…
As a refresher, there are generally four stages to the product development process for a new iPhone and other Apple products:
- EVT (Engineering Validation Test)
- DVT (Design Validation Test)
- PVT (Product Validation Test)
- Mass production
The EVT stage is meant to ensure that it is practical to manufacture a new product in its intended form, and to detect any potential bottlenecks and challenges that Apple and its partners might need to overcome. The subsequent DVT stage is where products are made using the exact processes intended to be used on the final production line. The PVT stage is the final test phase, where production is carried out on actual production lines to finalize quality, yields, timings, and costs. Mass production of a new iPhone generally begins in the month prior to a new iPhone’s release.
The Digitimes report claims that iPhone sales volume in 2024 reached 218 million units, marketing four straight years of decline. For 2025, the report says that Apple’s supply chain partners “generally estimate conservatively that 2025 iPhone sales will decrease rather than grow, with reductions ranging from single digits up to 10%, equating to around 200 million units.”
Apple is expected to introduce four new iPhone 17 models this fall, including the base iPhone 17, the all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Keep up with all the latest iPhone 17 rumors in our full guide.
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