Apple may be protecting itself from a potential iPhone 12 delay by stocking up on older, cheaper models like the iPhone XR

• Apple is reportedly ramping up production of older and current models like the iPhone XR, the iPhone 11 lineup, and the iPhone SE to prepare for a possible iPhone 12 delay, according to Nikkei Asian Review.
• Mass production of the next iPhone is said to be delayed by between four weeks and two months.
• Apple has reportedly ordered 45 million units of these iPhone models for the second half of 2020, and 80 million units of its next-generation iPhone, the report says.
• The report comes after Nikkei Asian Review, Bloomberg, and analysts have predicted that the iPhone 12 may be delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Apple is reportedly bracing for a potentially delayed launch of the iPhone 12 by placing higher-than-expected orders of current and older generation iPhones like the iPhone 11 lineup, iPhone SE, and iPhone XR, according to Nikkei Asian Review.

The company's next iPhone, which is widely expected to be the company's first 5G iPhone, is said to be facing mass production delays of between four weeks and two months, the report says.

It's unlikely that Apple will push the next iPhone's launch until 2021, which was believed to be the worst-case scenario, according to Nikkei Asian Review. But the company's mass production is said to have still fallen behind as a result of coronavirus-related factory and office closures.

As such, Apple is reportedly boosting orders of current and older models such as the $600 iPhone XR, which debuted in 2018, the $700 iPhone 11 and $1,000 iPhone 11 Pro from last fall, and the recently launched $400 iPhone SE.

Apple is said to have ordered more than 45 million units of these models for the second half of 2020 as a cautionary measure in case the iPhone 12 is delayed, according to Nikkei Asian Review. Apple also readjusted its initial orders for the iPhone 12 for 2020 from 100 million, which the report described as an "aggressive target," to 80 million, which the publication says is similar to previous years.

Apple did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Even though the iPhone XR launched in the fall of 2018, it's still proven to be popular even after Apple launched the iPhone 11 lineup in 2019. The iPhone XR was the most widely-shipped smartphone in 2019, according to research firm Omdia, with the iPhone 11 snagging second place.

It's not the first time reports have suggested that Apple's next-generation iPhone may be delayed. Nikkei Asian Review previously reported in March that the phones could be delayed because of coronavirus-related setbacks and concerns that the pandemic may have weakened consumer demand. Analysts at JPMorgan also said in March that the iPhone 12 could be delayed by up to two months.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple's forthcoming iPhone may launch a few weeks later than expected but is still slated to debut in the fall timeframe.

Apple's next iPhone is expected to come in four different variants: two less expensive models to succeed the iPhone 11, and two high-end versions to replace the iPhone 11 Pro. The cheaper models are expected to come in 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch sizes, while the pricier editions are rumored to be available in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes. Other than 5G support, the phones are expected to come with OLED screens across the lineup, a fresh design that resembles that of the iPad Pro, and Lidar sensors on the pricier models.