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iPhone 8 Production May Start Earlier Than Usual
Apple may start production of the iPhone 8 earlier than expected, according to information gathered by BlueFin Research Partners and shared by Barron's Tech Trader Daily.
There is "some indication" from the supply chain that Apple will ramp up production of the iPhone 8 starting in June, but that doesn't necessarily point towards an earlier non-September release date.
iPhone 8 concept image via Thadeu Brandão
Rumors suggest the iPhone 8 will include an edge-to-edge OLED display, perhaps with curved edges, with a glass backing, a deviation from the aluminum body used since the iPhone 4s. It's said to look like a single sheet of glass, with a Touch ID Home button built directly into the display.
Wireless charging in some form is expected to be included in the device, but it is not yet clear if it will be Apple Watch-style inductive charging or a longer-range over-the-air charging solution. Other rumored features include a faster, more efficient A11 processor, advanced biometrics like facial recognition or iris scanning, a new Taptic engine and 3D Touch advancements, and camera improvements.
BlueFin Research also says Apple has adjusted iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone SE production downward as it begins preparing for the launch of the iPhone 8.
There is "some indication" from the supply chain that Apple will ramp up production of the iPhone 8 starting in June, but that doesn't necessarily point towards an earlier non-September release date.
The most intriguing data points that we have uncovered suggests that AAPL is ramping the next generation iPhones earlier than historical norms, although we have no indication that there has been any change in release plans for the iPhone 8/X.[...]Given the radical design changes expected in the iPhone 8, it is unsurprising that the company may be planning to ramp up production earlier than normal, if the information BlueFin Research has shared is accurate. An earlier production date will give Apple time to improve yield rates and work out manufacturing issues, and could potentially lead to better supply when the iPhone 8 launches in September.
Interestingly, our present reads suggest a 300% increase in iPhone 8/X builds in the June quarter, now sitting at 9M. As a result, overall June quarter builds have increased from 45M to 48M, with the sharp increase in iPhone 8 offset somewhat by modest declines in legacy models.
Rumors suggest the iPhone 8 will include an edge-to-edge OLED display, perhaps with curved edges, with a glass backing, a deviation from the aluminum body used since the iPhone 4s. It's said to look like a single sheet of glass, with a Touch ID Home button built directly into the display.
Wireless charging in some form is expected to be included in the device, but it is not yet clear if it will be Apple Watch-style inductive charging or a longer-range over-the-air charging solution. Other rumored features include a faster, more efficient A11 processor, advanced biometrics like facial recognition or iris scanning, a new Taptic engine and 3D Touch advancements, and camera improvements.
BlueFin Research also says Apple has adjusted iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone SE production downward as it begins preparing for the launch of the iPhone 8.
Related Roundup: iPhone 8
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22 months ago
All of these iPhone 8 rumors seem too good to be true. A iPhone 7S this year just seems more likely. I really hope I'm wrong though.
22 months ago
So the design is pretty well finalized then? They likely are expecting huge sales numbers and want to ensure adequate supply quantities for the holiday shopping season.
I just hope they didn't make design compromises to meet that goal, like they did with the new MBP's battery that was supposed to be terraced for more capacity, but those plans were shelved at the last moment due to technical reasons.
They've gone three years with the 6/6+ design so I'd hope that the design for the 8 is finalized!
22 months ago
So the design is pretty well finalized then? They likely are expecting huge sales numbers and want to ensure adequate supply quantities for the holiday shopping season.
I just hope they didn't make design compromises to meet that goal, like they did with the new MBP's battery that was supposed to be terraced for more capacity, but those plans were shelved at the last moment due to technical reasons.
I just hope they didn't make design compromises to meet that goal, like they did with the new MBP's battery that was supposed to be terraced for more capacity, but those plans were shelved at the last moment due to technical reasons.
22 months ago
Unfortunately iPhone 7 was the 10th iPhone, it doesn't feel quite as neat once you consider that.
Yeah, that does discount it a bit, but I was really just meaning the 10th anniversary (not necessarily 10 iPhone iterations).
22 months ago
The 2016 MacBook Pros were announced last October which was the 25 year anniversary of the PowerBook (October 1991).
All the rumours about the iPhone design this year being more radical than a mere S update explain this as a celebration of iPhone's 10 year anniversary.
If the rumours have any credibility then it doesn't seem too outlandish to further suggest the announcement will time exactly with the original iPhone's month of release- June.
Therefore I will optimistically be expecting an announcement at WWDC, with a release by end of July.
As for how this impacts iOS, which tends to get major updates with new iPhones, I have a few ideas.
It could leave a smaller window for beta testing iOS 11. The last couple of iOS have had some interesting additions in point updates which could signal a shift in approach, from impactful major updates to continuous smaller updates through the year. iOS 10.3 contains features discussed at WWDC last year- for example, APFS and additions to SiriKit. So a smaller iOS 11 release with less beta testing could work. They could still discuss forthcoming features at WWDC.
Or, the iPhone could release with 10.4 with iOS 11 following later.
There are many possibilities but announcing and releasing this iPhone closer to the iPhone anniversary date just feels right!
All the rumours about the iPhone design this year being more radical than a mere S update explain this as a celebration of iPhone's 10 year anniversary.
If the rumours have any credibility then it doesn't seem too outlandish to further suggest the announcement will time exactly with the original iPhone's month of release- June.
Therefore I will optimistically be expecting an announcement at WWDC, with a release by end of July.
As for how this impacts iOS, which tends to get major updates with new iPhones, I have a few ideas.
It could leave a smaller window for beta testing iOS 11. The last couple of iOS have had some interesting additions in point updates which could signal a shift in approach, from impactful major updates to continuous smaller updates through the year. iOS 10.3 contains features discussed at WWDC last year- for example, APFS and additions to SiriKit. So a smaller iOS 11 release with less beta testing could work. They could still discuss forthcoming features at WWDC.
Or, the iPhone could release with 10.4 with iOS 11 following later.
There are many possibilities but announcing and releasing this iPhone closer to the iPhone anniversary date just feels right!
22 months ago
Or maybe it's a new iPod touch. :D
Better yet, a new iPod nano!
It's the new iPod shuffle.
It's going to be Revolution- wait for it -ary
22 months ago
I hope we do not have a long delay till these things ship. Sorry backlogged till early Nov 2017.
22 months ago
Good. If they won't spin up more production capability during launch... then starting the manufacturing earlier is the next best thing.
Hopefully this will prevent people from waiting weeks or months to buy the next new iPhone.
Hopefully this will prevent people from waiting weeks or months to buy the next new iPhone.
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