Makers in the iPhone supply chain have started delivering parts and components to the two iPhone OEMs Foxconn Electronics and Pegatron for production of next generation iPhone devices, which are widely expected to come in September, according to sources at the supply chain.

Initial shipments of new iPhone devices in the fourth quarter of 2015 are expected to total at least 50 million units, estimated the sources.

Together with iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, combined shipments of iPhone devices are likely to reach 230-240 million units for all of 2015 compared to 192 million units shipped in 2014, the sources indicated.

The record shipments of iPhone devices will help shore up the sales performance of a number of Taiwan-based suppliers, including Foxconn, Pegatron, Largan Precision, Catcher Technology, Foxlink Technology, General Interface Solution (GIS), Zhen Ding Technology and Flexium Interconnect, said the sources.

Among these suppliers, Pegatron, Zhen Ding, Flexium and Largan have continued expanding their production facilities in order to meet increasing orders from Apple, the sources noted.

Market expectations of new iPhone devices may continue to weigh on the sales of high-end Android phones from Samsung Electronics, Sony Mobile Communications and HTC, the sources commented.