KGI: Apple to Discontinue iPhone X Rather Than Sell at Lower Price When Second-Generation Model Launches

Apple will discontinue the first-generation iPhone X when the second-generation model launches later this year, rather than bump the device down its smartphone lineup for lower than $999, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who clarified his earlier prediction with a follow-up research note today.

iphone x silver
Kuo said that Apple keeping the current iPhone X in its smartphone lineup for a reduced price, such as $899, would likely cannibalize sales of the mid-range 6.1-inch iPhone with Face ID and a LCD display that he expects to launch in the second half of 2018 for between $650 and $750 in the United States.

An excerpt from Kuo's research note obtained by MacRumors on Monday:

iPhone X would hurt product brand value & lineup of 2H18 new models if it continues to sell at a lower price after 2H18 new models launch: Lowering iPhone X's price after the 2H18 new models launch would be a negative to product brand value given 3D sensing and OLED display are features of the new high-price model. Additionally, to sell iPhone X at a lower price may have a negative impact on shipments of the new 6.1" LCD iPhone in 2H18. Thus, we estimate iPhone X will reach end-of-life (EOL) around the middle of 2018.

If accurate, Apple's smartphone lineup later in 2018 would consist of the second-generation 5.8-inch iPhone X, which will likely remain $999, a larger 6.5-inch version dubbed iPhone X Plus, and the mid-range 6.1-inch iPhone. Below that would likely be iPhone 8, iPhone 7, and iPhone SE models.

Here's how Apple's new iPhone lineup could look:

• iPhone SE: $349
• iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: $449 and $569
• iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus: $549 and $669
• 6.1-inch iPhone with Face ID: $649 or $749
• 5.8-inch second-generation iPhone X: $999
• 6.5-inch second-generation iPhone X Plus: $1,099

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

New MacBook Pros Could Now Arrive in March

Sunday February 8, 2026 6:02 am PST by
New MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as soon as Monday, March 2, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the release of new MacBook Pro models is tied to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The launch is said to be slated for as early as the week of March 2. He added that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models on sale today...

Top Rated Comments

MedRed Avatar
105 months ago
Just don't make me have to get a bigger phone to have the best features.
Score: 84 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BootsWalking Avatar
105 months ago
In other news, Honda will discontinue 2017 Civic when 2018 Civic is released.
Except Apple is still selling an iPhone model from 2015 (iPhone 6s), so your analogy doesn't apply.
Score: 66 Votes (Like | Disagree)
az431 Avatar
105 months ago
In other news, Honda will discontinue 2017 Civic when 2018 Civic is released.
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacDawg Avatar
105 months ago
already thinking of X'ing out the X.
"Ten-ning out the Ten"? I don't get it
;)
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
105 months ago
So the iPhone X plus will cost around $1,200? That'd be ridiculous.
Do you not know how this works by now? In about May, rumors will fly of some kind of iPhone X Magical Mega with a rumored price of (about) $1499... followed by another rumor also suggesting $1499... and then maybe one or two more in the weeks leading up to the big reveal. The rumors get us through the "I will never pay that much" outrage without actually costing Apple any sales, shifting us into nearly acceptance, except maybe still clinging to the idea that we won't pay that much for a phone. Nevertheless, one of our kidneys is probably listed on CL just in case we can't bare to NOT pay whatever the mothership asks for a new phone.

Then Apple takes the stage, reveals the new "it" with a few new features not available on prior phones, some software gee-whiz, maybe some kind of gimmicky feature only the kiddies will love too. Everyone will expect the $1499 price because the rumors have us pretty much there. Then Apple reveals "only $1200" to a big sigh of relief and applause.

Immediately afterwards, cue the gushing at getting all of that for "only $1200" mixed with some, "I was thinking it might even go to $1999 but was fully expecting $1500. I can't believe I can get it for 'only $1200.' What a bargain!" and "Shut up and take my money."

Any remaining price-shocked naysayers should be met with the monthly payment argument: "only $8.33 more per month" (over 24 months) and just the usual beat down if that doesn't shut them down.

Next year: about May rumors imply the next, next "it" at $1999. Repeat sequence of events, concluding with us gushing we're getting that iPhone Xss for "only $1499"... "Shut up and take my money."

In both cases, we're all (self) hyped up such that we drag ourselves out of bed trying to give Apple "only $1200" and then "only $1499" at 3am in the morning. We may be missing a kidney and/or sending BarclayCard Executives to Hawaii again (or maybe they get to finally BUY one of the Hawaiian Islands this time) but WE MUST HAVE THAT NEW IPHONE. MUST, MUST, MUST!

Price-shocked naysayers at $1499 vs. $1200 are met with "only $12.45 more" per month (over 24 months) or "even better!!! only $8.31 more per month on the new (improved?) 36-month plan."

And subsequent to both, Apple reports "best quarter ever" and we write in countless threads "...but who makes the most profitable smart phone" and "$XXX Billion in the bank can't be wrong" as we march towards the time when we find ourselves paying $2499 ("only $8.33 more per month on the new 120-month payment plan") and then $2999 ("only $8.33 more on the new 180-month payment plan") for a smart phone, mostly because Apple wants to beat all prior records, and we'll pretty much pay anything if they apply the same formula to the marketing campaign.

There's lots of ;) in the above, but we know there's also underlying truths in there too.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kevinbeared Avatar
105 months ago
Apple became so short-sighted now, they only think they could make a huge pile of cash with the X, but didn't think of the aftermath...

If the premium line is at 1300$, i won't buy Apple anymore and i refuse to buy a second class iPhone where every features is just cut by sofwtare and a few hardware miss... i will buy the top android for 800$..

They are greedy ***king shareholders, they really ruin everything
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)