Two days ago, lots of people no doubt woke up to discover iPhones under their Christmas trees, and it looks like Apple expects many more iPhones to find new homes in the first quarter of 2011.  Rumors indicate the company’s upped its targets by between 5.3 and 10.5 percent.

As always, Apple’s not been quick to confirm or deny anything, much less make a full statement explaining the situation.  But Yenting Chen and Adam Hwang reported this morning, "Apple has raised the global shipment goal for its iPhones for first-quarter 2011 from 19 million units originally to 20-21 million units, according to sources with Taiwan-based component suppliers."

Then, to give a bit more of a breakdown, the pair continued, "The first-quarter shipment goal for WCDMA iPhones has been adjusted from 13 million units to 14-15 million units, the sources said.  The shipment goal for CDMA iPhones, which will be launched in North America and Asia Pacific in the first quarter, is set at 5-6 million units, the sources added."

That speaks to some interesting expectations on Apple’s part with regards to the Verizon partnership.  At the same time, it tends to match what Seth Weintraub recently predicted with regards to growth in the overall smartphone market.

Investors may agree with Apple’s optimism, as well.  Apple’s shares are up 0.40 percent at the moment, and that puts the company well ahead of the Nasdaq, which is only up 0.10 percent.