Apple's colorful mainstream flagship, starting at $749.
Apple's 6.1-Inch LCD iPhone 'Possibly' Delayed to October, OLED Models Still Coming in September
Apple might delay the launch of its new, low-cost 6.1-inch iPhone by one month and launch the device in October, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty (via Barron's). Huberty cites suspected issues with "LED backlight leakage" leading to the "possible" one month delay in mass production on the 6.1-inch iPhone.
Alleged front glass panels for the 2018 iPhones, with the 6.1-inch model in the middle
The problem was worse in the original production forecast, according to the new report, as there was originally a rumored six week delay for the 6.1-inch device. Now, Huberty says the cheaper smartphone will launch in October, while the second generation 5.8-inch iPhone X and 6.5-inch "iPhone X Plus" will "see no delay" and debut in September. All three devices are expected to be revealed during an event in September.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has backed this idea, and in a June report outlined what he believes will be Apple's pricing plan for the smartphones: the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone will be priced at $600 to $700, the 5.8-inch OLED second-generation iPhone X will be $800 to $900, and the 6.5-inch OLED device will be $900 to $1,000.
If the 6.1-inch model doesn't make a September debut, Apple will likely lose a few sales to customers who are interested in a new iPhone model but still don't want to pay upwards of $800 in full for the OLED devices. Because of this, Huberty sees Apple delivering a "slightly weaker-than-consensus September quarter."
This is a similar sentiment that the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus gained when Apple split up their launches last year, although somewhat reversed given that the flagship iPhone X was the delayed device in 2017.
The problem was worse in the original production forecast, according to the new report, as there was originally a rumored six week delay for the 6.1-inch device. Now, Huberty says the cheaper smartphone will launch in October, while the second generation 5.8-inch iPhone X and 6.5-inch "iPhone X Plus" will "see no delay" and debut in September. All three devices are expected to be revealed during an event in September.
We currently see no delay in the ramp of Apple's upcoming flagship 5.8" or 6.5" OLED iPhones. However suspected issues with LED backlight leakage have caused a 1 month delay in mass production of the 6.1" LCD iPhone, although this is down from a 6-week delay baked into the original production forecast, according to suppliers.The six week delay for the LCD model was previously mentioned in a report earlier this year that predicted the LCD model wouldn't launch until November 2018, but otherwise the belief has been that Apple will release all three devices in September 2018.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has backed this idea, and in a June report outlined what he believes will be Apple's pricing plan for the smartphones: the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone will be priced at $600 to $700, the 5.8-inch OLED second-generation iPhone X will be $800 to $900, and the 6.5-inch OLED device will be $900 to $1,000.
If the 6.1-inch model doesn't make a September debut, Apple will likely lose a few sales to customers who are interested in a new iPhone model but still don't want to pay upwards of $800 in full for the OLED devices. Because of this, Huberty sees Apple delivering a "slightly weaker-than-consensus September quarter."
This is a similar sentiment that the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus gained when Apple split up their launches last year, although somewhat reversed given that the flagship iPhone X was the delayed device in 2017.
Related Roundup: iPhone XS
Tag: Katy Huberty
Buyer's Guide: iPhone XS (Buy Now)
[ 103 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
13 weeks ago
I call BS. Apple has been making LCD screens since iPhone 1. There's never been an issue with them. If the 6.1 is delayed, it will be because of marketing decisions.
13 weeks ago
I know is July when I begin reading about iPhone delayed due to production problems.
13 weeks ago
It would be a way to push OLED sales first, before they offer a "budget" version. I love that a $700 is considered "budget" in Apple's world.
13 weeks ago
This is pure strategy.
Sell costlier models first. If they release cheap model along with costlier models, the sales of costlier model may get cannibalised.
Sell costlier models first. If they release cheap model along with costlier models, the sales of costlier model may get cannibalised.
13 weeks ago
I don’t understand why Apple charges such a premium for oled, when it’s being used in basically every other manufacturers flagships for much cheaper.
Oled is nice. Not worth $500 (australian) premium at all.
Manufacturing costs play a factor. The OLED in the X has to be bent at the bottom to avoid a bottom chin/bezel. This is something no other manufacturer has been able to do. Face ID also added to costs significantly, which is another feature no manufacturer has been able to replicate due to costs. Apple is a premium brand that sells a premium product, cheap android manufacturers can't offer the same features due to cost.
13 weeks ago
Yeah, right! Lol. Apple wants you to spend your $ on the more expensive iPhones first. That 1 month will turn into a December release. Sucks from a consumer aspect.
13 weeks ago
“Probably” to get all the sales they can for the more expensive X. I can think of no reason why the cheaper LCD model would be the delayed one. It’s almost like a flip from last year where the iPhone 8 was available right away and the X was delayed until November.
13 weeks ago
I'm happy to wait a month. I never understood why everyone has such a hard on for OLED. Will the new OLED models have the same problem with temperature and image burn?
13 weeks ago
They will also slow down every older iPhone model to “force” you to buy a newer one. You have “no choice.”
iOS 12 buddy, they had a whole event showcasing the improved speeds on older devices. You can stop with this nonsense now.[ Read All Comments ]
Apple today seeded the fifth beta of an upcoming watchOS 5.1 update to developers, one week after seeding the fourth watchOS 5.1 beta and more than a month after releasing the new watchOS 5 operating...
Apple today seeded the fifth beta of an upcoming tvOS 12.1 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after seeding the fourth update and over a month after releasing the tvOS 12 update.
...
eBay today launched a new option for customers who are looking to trade in their iPhones or other smartphones, which it's calling "Instant Selling." Using this feature, you can list an...
PayPal has kicked off its latest 15 percent discount on App Store and iTunes gift cards today on its Digital Gifts eBay storefront. If you head over to the website you can get the $100 iTunes...
Most popular websites these days come in both desktop and mobile versions, with the latter rendering content in a more responsive fashion for a consistent browsing experience across a variety of...
WhatsApp received an update this morning that adds official support for the larger display on Apple's iPhone XS Max, as well as some other improvements and new clues on what's next for the...
Apple has reportedly signed a 10-year lease for nearly 314,000 square feet of industrial manufacturing space in Santa Clara County, California (via Silicon Valley Business Journal).
The...
One of Apple's Lexus SUVs outfitted with autonomous driving equipment was involved in a minor car accident on October 15 while being driven in manual mode, and the accident in question does not...
