Makers in the iPhone supply chain are expected to see their orders fall short of expectations by 10-30% in the first quarter of 2016 as Apple has continued to adjust its inventory levels due to a slowdown in sales momentum for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, according sources from the iPhone supply chain in Taiwan.

Total orders for iPhone devices are expected to drop to 50-54 million units in the first quarter of 2016, declining 12-20% from the orders received a year earlier, the sources estimated.

Meanwhile, a recently released Digitimes Research report indicated that Apple's total iPhone shipments are expected to drop 5.2-10.1% on year in the first quarter of 2016 due to weaker than expected sales performance of iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

However, the decline rate of iPhone sales in the first quarter of 2016 will be significant lower than orders to OEM iPhone makers and component suppliers for the quarter due to deferred sales booking at Apple, Digitimes Research added.