Sept 18 (Reuters) - Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab has held discussions with suppliers for a possible test production of foldable iPhones in Taiwan, aiming to mass produce the device in India for release in 2026, the Nikkei said on Thursday.The iPhone maker is targeting to produce about 95 million phones in its next lineup coming in 2026, an over 10% rise from this year, the report said, citing sources. Apple believes that releasing a long-awaited foldable model could be key to reaching the goal.The talks aim to tap the engineering resources and ecosystem of Apple suppliers in Taiwan to build a mini pilot line for equipment testing and fine-tuning the parameters and manufacturing steps for making a foldable iPhone, the Nikkei report said.Once steps are figured out, the process would be replicated in India to mass produce the phones, according to the report. Suppliers have identified a potential site in a northern Taiwanese city for the mooted pilot line.Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the report.At its annual product launch event earlier this month, Apple introduced an upgraded line of iPhones, alongside a slimmer iPhone Air, and held prices steady amid U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs that have hurt the company's profit.

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Sept 18 (Reuters) - NIKKEI:APPLE EXPLORES POSSIBLE TEST PRODUCTION OF FOLDABLE IPHONES IN TAIWANAPPLE AIMING FOR 10% INCREASE IN TOTAL PHONE SHIPMENTS IN 2026, BELIEVES INTRODUCING LONG-AWAITED FOLDING MODEL WOULD HELP ACHIEVE THAT GOALON A PRELIMINARY BASIS, APPLE AIMS TO PRODUCE ABOUT 95 MILLION IPHONES IN ITS NEXT LINEUP COMING IN 2026APPLE TOLD SEVERAL SUPPLIERS THAT EXPECTS INTRODUCTION OF FOLDABLE MODEL TO SPUR DEMAND FOR IPHONES OVERALL, INCLUDING NON-FOLDABLE ONES Further company coverage:

- Apple is exploring possible test production of foldable iPhones in Taiwan.  
- The company aims for a 10% increase in total phone shipments in 2026, believing that introducing a folding model will help achieve this goal.  
- Apple plans to produce about 95 million iPhones in its next lineup for 2026, expecting the foldable model to boost overall demand for iPhones, including non-foldable ones.  

Apple explores test production of foldable iPhones in Taiwan, Nikkei reports