It's likely that the iPhone 8 release date in 2017 will happen later than expected as reports emerge that Apple will start mass production of the flagship models later than usual - around August or September next year. But the tech giant is said sell the next iPhone relatively cheaper.
This according to the series of notes issued this week by KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo and obtained by Apple Insider, indicating that Apple will roll out the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhones in 2017 at price points lower than the normal introductory price. The reason, according to Kuo, is that the two models will continue using the same LCD panel technology found in the iPhone 7 and recent versions.
The KGI forecast makes sense as the cost of building the next iPhone, at least for the two models will be cheaper. Kuo said in an earlier research note to investors that Apple will produce three iPhone variants next year - the two versions mentioned above with the legacy screen material and a 5.8-inch iPhone 8 Plus with curved OLED display.
While the biggest of the iPhone is described to only sport maximum 5.2-inch of active touchscreen area, it is believed to carry the more premium price tag, likely between the $749 and $849 introductory price range.
Kuo also revealed that basing on the latest reports from supply chain players in Asia, Apple will start the wholesale manufacture of the next iPhone one or two months later. In previous releases, production activities started as early as May or June but in the case of the iPhone 8, the KGI report said that assembly will only commence in late third quarter of 2017.
No reasons were provided for the projected production delay and no specific production start was mentioned as well. But it can be assumed that late Q3 2017 is either August or September of next year and in such case it is likely that the next iPhone market debut will be pushed back too, possibly between late October and early November.
In the same notes, Kuo indicated that Apple has mostly awarded the iPhone 8 production contracts to three key players. The 5.8-inch iPhone 8 will go to the Cupertino company's long-time manufacturing partner Foxconn, which will build 55 percent of the fresh iPhones to ship out in the latter part of 2016.
The balance will be distributed between Pegatron and Wistron. The former will take charge for the 4.7-inch model that will comprise 30 to 35 percent of the whole lot while the latter is assigned to build the 5.5-inch edition, which Kuo said is but mere 10 percent of the 2017 iPhone 8 release.