iPhone X Supply Revised Lower Yet Again as TrueDepth System Still Faces Production Issues

A new report today yet again suggests that customers looking to get an iPhone X this year might face quite the challenge.

truedepth
Jeff Pu, an analyst with Taipei-based Yuanta Investment Consulting, has cut his forecast of the number of iPhone X devices that will be produced this year from 40 million units to 36 million. It's the second time he has revised down his estimate, which originally totaled 45 million earlier this year.

The underlying reason is that Apple's suppliers are still struggling to perfect manufacturing of the iPhone X's TrueDepth camera and 3D facial recognition system, according to Japan's Nikkei Asian Review. We first heard about the production issues from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo a few weeks ago.

Multiple reports have claimed it has taken more time to assemble the TrueDepth system's so-called "Romeo" module than the "Juliet" module.

The "Romeo" module reportedly includes the dot projector that beams more than 30,000 invisible dots to create a precise depth map of your face, while the "Juliet" module includes the infrared camera that analyzes the pattern. Together, they help power new iPhone X features such as Face ID and Animoji.

Pu maintained his belief that the iPhone X will enter mass production in mid-October and begin to be shipped from China to the first wave of launch countries next week. iPhone X pre-orders begin Friday, October 27, just over two weeks from now. The device officially launches Friday, November 3.

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Top Rated Comments

OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
104 months ago
Doesn't matter. MacRumors members made it very clear as soon as the phone was announced that it's far too high priced to ever sell and no one will want to buy it. With no demand for it, supply shouldn't be an issue.
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
shyam09 Avatar
104 months ago
My prediction: We're (folks on MR, because we're awesome) getting our iPhones on launch day.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Refurbished_ Avatar
104 months ago
It will be worth the wait.

Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WhoDaKat Avatar
104 months ago
Does anyone remember when Apple didn't ship a product unless it was ready? Clearly the X is compromise after compromise.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Casfin Avatar
104 months ago
This kind of thing would lead me to not be surprised if the X has a number of issues once released.

From the ridiculous notch, to the fail at the apple event and production issues this device seems half baked in my opinion. That said, I'd never buy the first iteration of any tech device. Let the early adopters be the beta testers.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrGimper Avatar
104 months ago
At what point do those who laughed in the faces of people who decided to buy the 8/Plus and wait for the XI, start eating humble pie?
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)