With Apple reportedly to make 3D sensing a standard for its 2018 series iPhone devices, trial production of the new series is expected to kick off in the second quarter of 2018 at the earliest, as Apple will try to avoid a repeat of the mishap caused by the initial low yield rates on production of 3D sensor modules for those models introduced last year, according to sources from Taiwan-based IC design houses.

The kick-off of the trial production will help push ahead the delivery schedules for 2018 iPhone devices so that they will rekindle its smartphone momentum, said the sources, adding that sales of iPhone 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X have been lower than expected.

While component orders for the 2018 new iPhone series have not yet shown significant increases recently, upstream and downstream iPhone supply chain makers are generally more optimistic about order prospects for the year, said the sources.

Component makers will see their revenues start moving upward in the second quarter of 2018 if Apple can start delivering new iPhone series early in the third quarter, commented the sources.

Apple's 2018 iPhone series are expected to consist of two OLED-based iPhones (5.85-inch and 6.45-inch) and a 6.1-inch LCD model, Digitimes Research has indicated.