Latest Report Claims All New iPhone Models Facing Production Delays

[MacRumors]

Reports of delays to Apple's upcoming iPhone line-up continued this week, with the Chinese-language Economic Daily News claiming on Monday that production of the so-called "iPhone 8" will not start until between November and December, with production of the more typical "S" cycle upgrades to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus also potentially facing delays.

According to the report, the flagship redesigned OLED iPhone will ship only in small volumes this year, because yield rates at the main manufacturing plants have still not reached the mass production stage.

While there were previous reports indicating that volume production for new iPhone devices has commenced, yield rates at the two main ODMs, Foxconn Electronics and Pegatron, have not yet reached levels that warrant mass production, the report said.

Reports of iPhone delays typically happen every year and don't tend to pan out, but on balance we seem to be seeing more than usual this time around, apparently spurred by claims that Apple has found its redesigned handset particularly challenging to finalize, whether that's because of the intricacies of the customized OLED panel and other key components leading to low or staggered supplies, or problems integrating the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently published a report supporting claims that Apple will debut the OLED iPhone in September, but the device will face "severe supply shortages" for some time. Kuo believes that production ramp-up on the OLED iPhone model won't begin until as late as October-November, two months later than previous ramp-ups in August-September. Similar rumors have been circulated by Bloomberg, analysts from Barclays, and Brian White. Today's report is the most delayed 2017 timeframe for "iPhone 8" production we've seen so far.

Last week claims were also made that the software-side of things isn't going well for Apple either, with rumors that problems with the front-facing camera's 3D sensor could see the feature temporarily unavailable at launch. A purported wireless charging accessory for the iPhone is also thought to be coming later than originally planned.

As for the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch LCD iPhones that Apple is said to be launching alongside the OLED iPhone, volume production is now said to be entering "full swing" in August, which is one to two months later than the normal mass production schedule for Apple's iPhones.

(Via DigiTimes.)

Article Link: Latest Report Claims All New iPhone Models Facing Production Delays

 

[MacBergin]

It's a wait and see game

 

[Sunny1990]

Every year we hear this same report and Every year iPhone has been released at it's normal Date. This Report has never been true till date :-(

 

[NoNothing]

I can see the internet in my minds eye come October: "sure the iPhone Pro is sold out, they are only making 1000 per month. It's typical Apple to limit supply to create headlines of sold out for months."

 

[fitshaced]

Delay it by about 10 months and I might buy one.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

(Via DigiTimes.)

Let's say I wouldn't bet the house.

 

[Sirious]

Off topic, but does anyone else think the new iOS 11 dock for iPad (only the look, not function) will make its way into the new iPhone? Just makes sense due to the edge to edge display.

 

[viachicago22]

The phones will be delayed till December and the HomePod will be delayed till Apple Campus 3's completion

 

[recoil80]

It wouldn't be July without a report claiming production delays

 

[dan9700]

Omg all these dam iphone rumours has actually made me not care about it anymore so much hype for something no one knows about

 

[djcerla]

... but like every year the North Pole facility and Apple's Elves will make it for the holidays.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

For those from the UK who listened to Mark & Lard's radio show in the nineties:
"F&&k my hat, I didn't know that
F&&k my hat, I didn't know that
F&&k my hat, I didn't know that"

 

[ILikeAllOS]

Man, I'm tired of these analysts and their stock manipulation tactics lately.
There are only 2 months now until the keynote so I'll just wait.

 

[xalea]

A trillion-dollar company that can't put out a product on schedule. Great.

 

[Plinga]

What happened to Tim Cook being the 'supply chain God'?

 

[Andres Cantu]

What we need is more part leaks.

 

[Steve121178]

A trillion-dollar company that can't put out a product on schedule. Great.

Does it matter if it launches in September or December as long as it launches? No one needs it in September.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

It wouldn't be July without a report claiming production delays

...published in Digitimes, quoting Ming-Chi Kuo.

OK, in all fairness Ming-Chi Kuo is right occasionally -- just like a broken clock.

 

[fitshaced]

What happened to Tim Cook being the 'supply chain God'?

You haven't been praying to him

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

This has been the same claim with every iPhone and every time it's been unfounded.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Does it matter if it launches in September or December as long as it launches? No one needs it in September.

Well Apple needs it in September/October because December is too late for the holiday season. If the iPhone were to not be readily available until December it would be a disaster for Q1 earnings and possibly crimp the entire FY.

You are right no consumer needs it -- which is why it must launch during the holiday season because no one has any money or the will to spend money they don't have in Jan, Feb when they are paying off the holiday bills.

 

[robeddie]

Does it matter if it launches in September or December as long as it launches? No one needs it in September.

Absolutely true. But Apple didn't NEED to announce that it would be available in September. They should drop their insistence on clockwork release cycles. Just release the new hardware when it's ready. They used to do that.

 

[fitshaced]

Late out of the gate-gate

Ha! In first with a gate.

 

[Tobias Funke]

Does not surprise me.

There is still a 2 week wait for the iPad 12.9 a product they ALREADY made for years beforehand!

 

[Freida]

Well, we do get these every year but this year seem a bit different. We really haven't seen many leaks and by this time we usually have most of the components leaked. So maybe there is a delay this year. Who knows!
However, if even part of the rumours about iPhone 8 are correct then I don't think I'll be getting one. Too expensive to begin with and it will be version 1 of a new design which is always a massive gamble. Lets see what they do though