Apple's reduced production of iPhones will continue throughout the period to June as the US tech giant attempts to offset falling sales for its leading mobile products.

The company has told Japanese parts supplier that it will not produce the predicted volume of iPhone SEs to account for ailing sales of its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Production output was slashed by 30% in the January-March quarter, but was expected to return to normal levels this quarter.

The Nikkei Asian Review has said that a weakening Chinese market is behind the move.

It means the production cut could last longer than the output reduction of iPhone 5Cs shortly after its launch in 2013.

Liquid crystal display panel manufacturers Japan Display and Sharp and memory chip suppliers Sony and Toshiba are among the parts supplier likely to be affected by the reduction.

In January, Apple forecast a fall in revenue for the quarter to March, its first expected revenue drop in 13 years.

Sales have slowed in China, Japan, the US and more. The company also announced that the rate of iPhone shipments is now increasing at its slowest ever level. Shares in Apple fell 1.8% following the announcement.

The Nikkei Asian Review has also suggested that Apple's next flagship phone (likely to be the iPhone 7) may arrive before September, providing a boost for parts production in late May.

Worldwide smartphone sales in general are set to grow at their slowest ever rate in 2016, according to the Gartner research firm. Gartner has said that the days of double-digit increases is over, with a prediction of 7% growth for the year.