Apple's reportedly put in its biggest order yet for new iPhones, says The Wall Street Journal. While numerous reports have said production of Apple's next iPhone models is set for August, The Journal now says it's going to the largest ever, with somewhere between 70 to 80 million units. That number will be split up between two models, the report claims — a 4.7-inch model, as well as a 5.5-inch model, both of which would come in well above the iPhone 5 and 5S' 4-inch display.

Pointing to a very ambitious launch

To put the figures in perspective, The Journal notes that Apple ordered somewhere in the ballpark of 50 to 60 million units for last year's iPhone 5S and 5C. The 5S went on to have extreme shortages, with new buyers quickly facing a weeks-long wait. Both phones went on sale at the same time, and to the largest group of launch countries yet. One major difference since then is Apple inking a deal with China Mobile this past December, which had about 759 million subscribers at the time, and now has more than 790 million.

Apple's next iPhone, which is expected to be called the iPhone 6, is rumored to include a number of new hardware features. So far that list includes a redesign with a rounder body; a sapphire screen that's tougher than the Corning Gorilla Glass Apple's used (and helped popularize); a better camera; and a built-in barometer to gather more environmental information and possibly tie into Apple's much-expected wearable.

The Journal's report comes on the eve of when Apple announces its third-quarter earnings, where the iPhone continues to play a key role, historically bringing in more than half of the company's revenues. This time, analysts are expecting Apple to have sold close to 36 million iPhones during the quarter, which would represent a 14.85 percent increase from the same time last year. The most Apple's ever sold during any quarter happened this past holiday season, where Apple sold 51 million new iPhones, making the rumored 70 to 80 million unit number a sign of where Apple wants to go.