Report: OEMs prep for higher iPhone demand in 2010

OmiVision Technologies, the OEM responsible for selling Apple the 3.2-megapixel image sensors used in the iPhone 3GS, reportedly is preparing for double the amount of product orders it handled in 2009.

The company shipped between 20 and 21 million in 2009, but expects to be responsible for 40 to 45 million orders in 2010.  Furthermore, a DigiTimes report also indicates the company is expected to start developing a 5-megapixel image sensor for a new iPhone that will be available in Q3 or Q4 next year.

During the first three quarters of 2009, Apple reportedly sold around 16.4 million iPhones, and is expected to have an additional 10 million sold before the end of 2009.

Apple will host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) at the Moscone Center in San Francisco sometime in late June, or early July.  During the event, Apple likely will announce its latest version of the iPhone — which is still expected to be exclusive to AT&T only — but a switch to Verizon Wireless is still possible.

Months of rumors regarding a switch to AT&T or T-Mobile have circulated around the Internet for some time now, but Apple has remained quiet about a future VZW iPhone.  A recent Consumer Report survey indicates AT&T is in last place in regards to customer satisfaction, as subscribers have been fed up with dropped calls and poor 3G coverage — with AT&T blaming the iPhone, not a lack of hardware upgrades — which has further increased the amount of rumors of Apple abandoning AT&T exclusivity.