WSJ: Apple Expects Lower-Priced LCD Models to Represent Majority of iPhone Sales in Upcoming 2018 Lineup

Apple is widely rumored to introduce three new iPhone models in September, including a second-generation iPhone X, a larger version dubbed the iPhone X Plus, and a lower-priced but lesser-featured version.

trio iphones ios
Given the iPhone X Plus is expected to have an OLED display, like the iPhone X, it would be reasonable to assume that the majority of iPhones that Apple plans to manufacture in 2018 will be of the OLED variety. According to The Wall Street Journal, however, that might not be how things play out.

The report cites sources involved with Apple's supply chain who claim that Apple now expects LCD models to make up the majority of iPhone sales in its upcoming lineup, expected to be released this fall.

Apple initially wanted roughly equal production of iPhone models with LCDs and OLED displays, but now plans to make more of the LCD model, referring to the rumored lower-priced, lesser-featured 6.1-inch iPhone, as it supposedly anticipates strong customer demand for the more affordable X-like model.

It's not entirely clear if "LCD models" will include iPhone 7, iPhone 8, and iPhone SE models, which will likely remain for sale alongside the 2018 iPhones, and would certainly help tip the scale towards LCD.

The Wall Street Journal says Apple's plans are a "sign of consumers' sensitivity to the price of smartphones," citing analysts who believe demand was weaker than their initial forecasts for the iPhone X "due mainly to its price tag." The flagship device is priced from $999 in the United States.

The report adds that Apple will likely retain at least one lower-priced, LCD-based iPhone in its 2019 lineup too, rather than shift entirely to OLED, to ensure customers have an affordable option to choose from.

A report out of Korea last month said Apple will switch to OLED for all of its 2019 iPhones, a claim that some analysts had already cast doubts on.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, now with research firm TF International Securities, expects the next iPhone X to start at $800-$900, the so-called iPhone X Plus to start at $900-$1,000, and the 6.1-inch iPhone to start at $600-$700 in the United States, with orders for all three beginning in September.

Kuo has previously said the 6.1-inch iPhone will have a nearly edge to edge display, with a notch for Face ID, but with tradeoffs, including an LCD instead of OLED display, an aluminum frame rather than stainless steel, no 3D Touch, and a single-lens rather than dual-lens rear camera system.

If accurate, many customers may indeed opt for what is essentially a budget iPhone X, with a $300 to $400 cheaper price tag. That doesn't mean the current iPhone X was too expensive, though, as in February, Apple said it was the "top selling iPhone" every week since it launched in early November.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

DJMarty Avatar
75 months ago
Yay. Means more high end models available for me!

iPhone Poverty Edition was way funny tho....
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
44267547 Avatar
75 months ago
There is not a single reason to use 3D Touch.
I completely disagree. I use 3D Touch regularly, and the best part about it is the shortcut navigation. I can access parts of my email, third-party applications, messages, peek/pop are great for photos. It’s merely a convenience tool. The problem with 3D Touch is, many don’t know about it and it’s functionality, because Apple doesn’t market this specifically.

In iOS 12 you’ll be able to move the cursor by pressing and holding the spacebar.
You do realize that in iOS 11 you can use the same feature by dragging the cursor by holding down the space bar with the keyboard.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
trusso Avatar
75 months ago
Dear Apple,
[LIST=1]
* Upgrade the specs on the iPhone SE.
* Leave everything else as-is.

Same goes for the Macintosh line-up:
[LIST=1]
* Take your 2012 Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, et cetera.
* Leave the outside untouched.
* Upgrade internal specs.
* Repeat each year.

There! I've fixed Apple. :)

You see, Tim? You don't need all those "brainstorming" meetings to figure out what people want in their Macs. It's really this simple...




*** waits patiently for the thinner/slimmer/better crowd to chime in about how behind-the-times I am, blissfully unawares of how they've been brainwashed into aligning their values with that of the corporate behemoths who are slowly screwing them in the :mad: ***
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kaibelf Avatar
75 months ago
In other news, my local McDonald's sells more units from the dollar menu than my local steakhouse does through their prix fixe menu. I'm fine with paying for a very nice dinner once a year, but I understand that many are only ever up for the quarter pounder.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bhodinut Avatar
75 months ago
No 3D Touch no sale for me.
I've turned off 3D Touch off on my X. I don't see the point. I could live without it.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
75 months ago
But... but... the other guys said all models would be OLED..... Even the iPhone Poverty Edition would get all the same stuff the high-end did....
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
iOS 17 Passkey With Apple ACCOUNT Feature

'Apple ID' Expected to Change to 'Apple Account' Starting With iOS 18

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:13 am PDT by
MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to rebrand "Apple ID" to "Apple Account" across its software platforms and websites like iCloud.com as early as this year, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated this change. A mockup of the new Apple Account branding In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new "Apple Account" branding will start to be used later this...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone is Imminent

Monday March 18, 2024 5:27 am PDT by
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. ...