Because they are not going to miss out on holiday sales. See the late 2016 MB as a prime example. Kaby Lake wasn't ready. They could have waited a couple of months and simply released the early 2017 model.
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Latest Report Claims All New iPhone Models Facing Production Delays
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Grab some popcorn because it's going to be entertaining kabuki theatre to watch TC backpedal that one after essentially not updating the iPhone last year. Aside from that it would be sad for Apple because it would be a huge setback for the stock and the company. To boot, Samsung would be all over it in the most obnoxious way they know how.
But again, I think the iPhone will be released in it's normal Sep-Oct time range. Early Nov at the latest because, well, TC doesn't want to have to do that hari-kari. All this "delay" talk is just the usual attention whores placing their money on Green 00. Good luck with that sucker bet.
No but if it comes with missing features, missing accessories and shortage in stock... Then it's not an anniversary to celebrate.
It'd have to be months late for me to not buy it, you wouldn't want it too close to then next one though. Fortunately my 6s is absolutely fine and doesn't really need replacing at the moment so it's more dependent on there being enough new features to tempt me anyway.
To be fair, Samsung shouldn't be gloating over any Apple delay, not after their exploding phone debacle last year.
A delay, say until spring, might actually be in Apple's favor. That would enable them to go head to head with Samsung, since that is when Samsung releases new Galaxy phones. Rather than Samsung typically bragging that their phone is better than the current Apple phone, the latter of which is 6-8 months old at that point.
Good product acceptably priced generates demand for pre-orders. Delays and shortages undercut that demand because a lot of people don't want to, or won't, wait months. You can't sell a product that you don't physically have to sell and a pre-order isn't a sale until it actually ships.
While it is normal to be sceptical of delays, based on past performance, it probably will be true this year. Apple really has nothing to gain by delaying the phones. They are integrating some very new technology.
Wow! I'm not sure how to respond, is Tim Cook really in a position to back peddle? Have Samsung really got an advantage? Is it all about the stock market?
If it delayed more we might be able to pick up a pair of Air Pods that was introduced last year on iPhone 8 launch day.
1. Maybe in fairy tale land, but in real life that's not how it works. You know that. People and companies rarely weigh there own foibles against derogatory comments they make against others.
2. If you are on Apple's PR team then spinning a delay is the only out. But in real life, real finances, real prestige, in no way is a delay in Apple's favor. If a spring release was in Apple's favor then Apple would have set that time frame as the release date. Apple sets all it's product release time frames and has full knowledge of competitors release schedules. A delay is a delay is a faux pas.
No one NEEDS it, EVER.
But, they have a routine of launching during a given time period and this is a phone, not a laptop. Some folks are on a 2-year cycle for updating their phone and are really eager for their new phone. Others, like myself, update yearly and aren't going to be happy, but also won't be so annoyed because their phones are fairly new still.
Though, really, I'm admittedly impatient and I like my new iPhones in the fall of each year, so this will annoy me if it's at all true. They say this every year and it never has been, though the 5s was a slooow phone.
Apple is a public company, so yes, it's all about the stock market and quarterly, annual, and YOY benchmarks. Is TC in a position to back peddle? Depends on how much AAPL would tank and affect the value of the stock options of his fellow Apple executives. If he didn't get pushed out then, yes, he'd be sent out to backpedal and issue the standard "mea culpa" he's done on other occassions. Samsung's advantage is a weakened Apple -- just like Apple was advantaged when Samsung had it's battery issues and setback the Galaxy line for a year.
PR spins a delay, or face an avalanche of potentially negative reviews because a product was rushed, or released half-baked to satisfy shareholders and expectations?
Of course, that's if all these rumors are to believed.
A double edged sword, indeed.
This is a really good point re: the holidays.
Thing is, most people will probably balk at the price of the redesigned iPhone and go for the updates of the current design with their better specs or buy the current models at a discount. The people chomping at the bit for the redesign are mostly not going to be dissuaded by a delay, if their actually is one this year.
Yes, if these rumors are to be believed -- which I don't think they are because I can't see Apple getting itself into either of the scenarios you present above. Apple, better than any other tech company perhaps, understands the fallout of either missing presumed deadlines or releasing half-baked product. For what is suppose to be a new standard in phones -- and a "10th anniversary" edition I don't think Apple is going to whiff here.
While these reports are mere rumors, this year it does feel different given the multiple news outlets repeatedly coming out with rumors. There’s hardly any news on features...its all focused on the rumored production delays.
Also, I don’t remember prior launches having the frequency of the delay reports like this year - were other launches the same?
Also, I don’t remember prior launches having the frequency of the delay reports like this year - were other launches the same?
for the first time ever I actually am in a rush to buy a new one. My 6S is promised to my son for his birthday end of August. I'll be using his crappy 8GB Moto G to hold me over until the new iphone..
We all know what happened the last time Samsung was all over apples "failures". Let's hope they smartened up since then.
How can an unannounced product with an unannounced date be late?