Corroborating a rumor from earlier this week, DigiTimes reports that Apple has asked its suppliers to deliver parts and start production of the iPhone 8 earlier than usual. The Cupertino company reportedly wants its supply chain partners to start delivering parts and components for production from the second half of Q1, 2017.

The report further adds that Samsung has ordered “sufficient” OLED panels from Samsung Display, with Taiwan suppliers working on OLED panel bonding from the end of first quarter.

Apple has requested its chip and component suppliers start trial production, inspection and prepare inventories for the new iPhone series earlier than usual, said the sources. Deliveries of chips and parts for the new models are expected to kick off in the second half of first-quarter 2017, the sources indicated.

Since the iPhone 8 is expected to debut with a new all-glass design, Apple wants to be extra careful and has set stringent inspection guidelines for all components and modules that will be used inside the handset.

Aside from an all-new glass design, Apple is expected to make use of an OLED display panel on a third more premium iPhone variant that it will be debuting this year. Additionally, the company will also be introducing wireless charging to all the three iPhone variants due for unveiling later this year. The DigiTimes report also states that the iPhone 8 will feature an iris scanner, though there have been very few leaks pertaining to it to add credence to rumors of the feature actually debuting with the handset.

There is a lot of buzz around the iPhone 8 so it makes sense for Apple to start production for the handsets earlier than usual. This will help the company in better meeting the strong demand for the handsets when they are officially launched in September.