An iPhone 8 Delay Could Be Good News for Everyone
An iPhone 8 delay wouldn’t represent the end of the world.
Ming-Chi Kuo still expects Apple to announce the so-called “iPhone 8” in September. However, the respected KGI Securities analyst doesn’t think the long-rumored handset will arrive in stores until October or November due to “severe supply shortages,” according to MacRumors.
iPhone 8 concept
Credit: Handy AbovergleichExplaining that a two-month delay “won’t undermine actual demand,” Kuo suggests most would-be buyers won’t get their hands on an iPhone 8 until the first quarter of 2018.
He notes:
Production ramp up of OLED iPhone could be delayed to October-November (previously estimated to be August-September, as in previous years). That said, if new features, such as 3D sensing, can provide good user experience, a temporary supply shortfall won’t undermine actual demand, which may be deferred to 1H18. In that case, potential contribution starting late-2Q17 from OLED iPhone could be partially delayed by 3-6 months for related suppliers.
Kuo isn’t the first analyst to predict a delayed iPhone 8 release.
In March, Digitimes said that problems with the iPhone 8’s integrated fingerprint ID technology could delay the handset’s launch. Two weeks ago, Cowen and Company’s Timothy Arcuri agreed.
A delayed iPhone 8 launch isn’t necessarily bad news. It suggests that Apple remains committed to launching a forward-looking iPhone, even if that means a slight delay is necessary. Recent reports have noted that Apple could ditch the integrated Touch ID on this year’s flagship device and instead release a handset with a physical Touch ID on the back of the device.
Recent reports have noted that Apple might ditch an integrated Touch ID on this year’s flagship device and instead release a handset with a physical Touch ID on the back of the device. Hopefully, Kuo’s note will be the first of many showing that this type of design is no longer on Apple’s radar.
Cupertino is expected to unveil three new iPhones this fall. Besides the all-new iPhone 8, an “iPhone 7s” and “iPhone 7s Plus” are also likely.
Should Apple delay the iPhone 8 release to get it right? Let us know using the comments below.
For more on this year's iPhone lineup, see: