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Japanese Report Claims Apple Planning 'Gold' iPhone X Color Option, With a Refreshed 9.7-inch iPad to Launch in Q3 2018

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Apple plans to introduce a new gold iPhone X color option in an effort to boost sales of the Face ID equipped smartphone, while a new revamped 9.7-inch iPad is set to drop in the third quarter of 2018, according to tech blog Mac Otakara.

Apple offered the iPhone X only in Silver and Space Gray at launch, so the prevailing rationale behind a new color is that it could perhaps lure new upgraders during a typically sluggish mid-season.

blushgoldiphonex.jpg
Image via Benjamin Geskin​

As for the 9.7-inch iPad refresh, the Japanese-language tech blog reckons the sixth-generation device will go on sale in the third quarter.

Mac Otakara doesn't provide any clues as to the sources of its information, but the iPhone X rumor tallies with another one that emerged just last week, courtesy of Benjamin Geskin. Responding to online chat about a possible new colorway, the parts leaker shared pictures of an alleged "Blush Gold" iPhone X.

With regards to the 9.7-inch iPad claim, it's unclear if Mac Otakara is referring to an imminent low-cost 9.7-inch iPad refresh, which may include support for the Apple Pencil, or another model entirely. In December, for example, DigiTimes claimed Apple was planning to release its most affordable 9.7-inch iPad yet in late 2018.

However, Bloomberg claims the low-cost iPad refresh device will be announced at Apple's first event of the year on Tuesday, March 27, which the company has indicated will have an educational focus. Given the theme, the launch of new iPhone colors at this event seems unlikely, though not impossible.

In March of last year, Apple introduced a (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, and it's possible the company could be planning to do the same thing this year, with a (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and perhaps X.

Click here for the MacRumors roundup of everything to expect at Apple's "Let's Take a Field Trip" educational event on March 27.

Article Link: Japanese Report Claims Apple Planning 'Gold' iPhone X Color Option, With a Refreshed 9.7-inch iPad to Launch in Q3 2018
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/03/26/apple-plans-gold-iphone-x-9-7-ipad-launch-q3/
So they're gonna release an Gold X a month or two before the new phones are being presented? And they're gonna release a new iPad a few months after the WDCC? That doesn't make any sense.
 
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The low cost iPad will probably be announced at tomorrows event possibly with Apple Pencil support. Since they are not live streaming it i'm not expecting anything else, if they were going to update more products i'm sure they would live stream it. My guess for the iPad Pro with Face ID and Mac's is either WWDC OR an October event which they haven't done since 2016.
 
ChrisCW11 said:
Lol, so Apple thinks sales slowed down because it didn't come in gold. Wow...
Click to expand...

Where did Apple say anything about sales slowing down because the iPhone X was not offered in gold? This is just a rumor, there may not be any validity behind this or a blush gold option at all.
 
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"a new color is that it could perhaps lure new upgraders during a typically sluggish mid-season" The color is not the problem with X.
 
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chatin said:
"a new color is that it could perhaps lure new upgraders during a typically sluggish mid-season" The color is not the problem with X.
Click to expand...
Lemme know in two years how it feels to be stuck in the past. Is the X perfect? Notch--I mean no (Siri fail). But the sales won't be sluggish anymore for the X as they were for the 6, 5,...etc. It's expected and not unlike previous models.

In no way does it suggest the X has a "problem" whereby people are abandoning the USS Money Ship in droves because "zomg the X is so terrible."

An argument can be made that the abundance of bugs in iOS 11 might leave a bad taste in the mouths of consumers, prompting them to disregard the XII (? You think I kid, this is the "new" New iPad Apple we're talking about here). Sure, that's a valid point. If my first iPhone experience was the X with iOS 11, I darn sure would think twice about investing more in the Apple ecosystem.

But again, this is not a problem inherently unique to X.

As for gold...I just don't believe Apple has enough courage. No. Froggin. Way.
 
chatin said:
The color is not the problem with X.
Click to expand...

The color is not a problem, but it does offer expansion and might entice some of those who were considering to upgrade. If your factoring what would be considered a problem for the iPhone X, it’s mainly the price point. But even so, Apple knows that iPhone X is not for everybody, which is exactly why they have plenty there of options in their line up as cheaper alternatives.
 
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Aluminum213 said:
Looks to be as uneventful an event as Apple has had in many years
Click to expand...

Especially when Apple has lost the limited traction they once had in the education sector thanks to early iPad sales/hype.

Tech in education is all about cost & practicality. Chromebooks are the 'standard' because they are cheap, simple & more importantly ideal for the users needs.

It's going to be embarrassing if Apple thinks the answer to the Chromebook is a cheaper iPad that is still vastly less practical & useful as a tool for education & a 'cheaper' MacBook that costs the same as 4 Chromebooks.
 
I believe they might attract more buyers with a product red X vs. blush gold. However, there might be a strong market for the upper class with the horrible blush gold. To each their own, but would love to see the red X.
 
If apple are releasing a new iPhone colour I would expect it to come in Q2? Otherwise we are only a month or two away from September Keynote with the reveal of the new lineup.
As for the iPad. I am sure we will hear about it at the event tomorrow.
 
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Very confused now - surely a low-cost iPad coming tomorrow, but then another low cost 9.7" iPad in Q3? Could it be possible that it's the same hardware and that it will be only made available to educational institutions at first?
 
Eggtastic said:
I believe they might attract more buyers with a product red X vs. blush gold. However, there might be a strong market for the upper class with the horrible blush gold. To each their own, but would love to see the red X.
Click to expand...

Apple has a really weird definition of what it calls gold. From pink to this?

Looks more like copper, bronze or rust colour :p

Agreed, red is a good option. And no home button for them to screw up the design this time.
 
ChrisCW11 said:
Lol, so Apple thinks sales slowed down because it didn't come in gold. Wow...
Click to expand...

No. That's a wrong reading. Apple seeks to revive interest because it's in gold. Gold is very popular in Asia. Do not doubt the power of color on consumer's buying psyche. Apple and other companies do this all the time for mid-cycle sales boosts. Shoe companies are notorious for it. They'll come out with some boring and/or obnoxious colorways for launch. Early adopters will buying anything so color doesn't matter as much. Then when they have that money they'll push out more interesting and attractive colorways and "limited" editions pegged to certain road races later on.

Marketing 101.
 
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