Apple said to be cutting iPhone X production in half due to slow sales
Apple has reportedly told suppliers that it's dropping March-quarter iPhone X production from the more than 40 million it predicted to about 20 million, delivering a multi-billion dollar impact to the supply chain.
The phone saw "slower-than-expected" holiday sales in major markets including the U.S., China, and Europe, Nikkei said on Monday. Apple typically cuts production post-holidays, and at present it is unclear if the report is accurate as it is unsourced, or if it is so, how it compares to other seasonal cuts.
The company is allegedly keeping a combined production target of 30 million for all other current iPhone models, such as the 7 and 8.
Though it's uncertain what would have hurt iPhone X demand, the most likely culprit is price. The device is the most expensive iPhone ever, starting at $999 for a 64-gigabyte model. A 256-gigabyte version is $1,149, more expensive than some Macs.
Much of its cost can be chalked up to an edge-to-edge, 5.8-inch OLED display, which is supplied solely by Samsung -- the only company able to manufacture on the scale Apple needs. Other suppliers like LG are eventually expected to provide OLED panels, but most likely for the X's successors.
The X also incorporates 3D facial recognition sensors used for features like Face ID and animoji. Those components are difficult to make, and in fact may be why the product launched only in November and in low numbers. Production has caught up relatively rapidly though, since in the U.S, the phone is now available immediately online and at retail.
Another January, another misleading iPhone supply cuts story from Nikkei
Apple supplier Murata casts doubt on claims of lowered iPhone X production
WSJ jumps on iPhone X production cut story, adds new fictions
The phone saw "slower-than-expected" holiday sales in major markets including the U.S., China, and Europe, Nikkei said on Monday. Apple typically cuts production post-holidays, and at present it is unclear if the report is accurate as it is unsourced, or if it is so, how it compares to other seasonal cuts.
The company is allegedly keeping a combined production target of 30 million for all other current iPhone models, such as the 7 and 8.
Though it's uncertain what would have hurt iPhone X demand, the most likely culprit is price. The device is the most expensive iPhone ever, starting at $999 for a 64-gigabyte model. A 256-gigabyte version is $1,149, more expensive than some Macs.
Much of its cost can be chalked up to an edge-to-edge, 5.8-inch OLED display, which is supplied solely by Samsung -- the only company able to manufacture on the scale Apple needs. Other suppliers like LG are eventually expected to provide OLED panels, but most likely for the X's successors.
The X also incorporates 3D facial recognition sensors used for features like Face ID and animoji. Those components are difficult to make, and in fact may be why the product launched only in November and in low numbers. Production has caught up relatively rapidly though, since in the U.S, the phone is now available immediately online and at retail.
Another January, another misleading iPhone supply cuts story from Nikkei
Apple supplier Murata casts doubt on claims of lowered iPhone X production
WSJ jumps on iPhone X production cut story, adds new fictions
Comments
End of story.
I recently realized my iMac and MacBook Pro are over three years old now. I can't even fabricate an excuse to upgrade either one.
None of these devices are likely to fail anytime soon, so I'm not sure what it will take for Apple to entice me to give them some more money at this time.
I did order a HomePod, but mostly out of curiosity since I already have several Echos and a plethora of convenient ways to enjoy high-quality audio.
The job of the X was to test the market by introducing new things at a smaller scale that would have been impossible to implement for the entire line. Mission accomplished.
Er, which Chinese knockoffs are putting pressure on Apple? Pressure on Samsung and the other knockoffs, sure, but considering Apple's numbers that's hard to believe.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/263401/global-apple-iphone-sales-since-3rd-quarter-2007/
Reader Gruber's thoughts on scale and how the sheer scale of iPhone prevents an experimental roll-out across the board. Thus the X, 8 and 8 Plus:
https://daringfireball.net/2017/07/speculation_on_new_iphone_pricing
The X is not scaled out to the entire market of of would-be new-phone buyers. The 8 and 8 Plus have the majority as it becomes cheaper to manufacture Face ID and OLED displays.
First i've heard that Face ID doesn't work on people with "narrow eyes". Are you sure you're looking at it when swiping up? If you're looking away it won't authenticate as a security feature (unless you disable this). Your eyes, nose and mouth should be visible to unlock. I really don't think having narrow eyes is going to stop it from working as it makes the depth map based on *your* features placement.
https://www.ft.com/content/568b8200-02f0-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5
Same thing for me. I was going to get the X, but the over all price. First Gen of this new Tech. I decided to hold onto my iPhone 6. At some point, I'll swap the battery in it. Later this year, I'll see if I'm going to upgrade or hold on for a 5th year with my iPhone 6.
The other thing that pissed me off with the iPhone X is the starting with 64 GIG's. So that's really forcing me to spend the extra money to get the 256 gig version. My iPhone 6 is 128 Gig's. Get a new phone, downgrade my storage? It's yet another Apple scam. People are only going to put up with these ridiculous prices for so long.