There are reports claiming Apple will be making close to 80 million next-generation iPhones in 2018. But this number is said only to reflect new models that are expected to launch in September. This includes the three different devices: the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone, and a couple of iPhone X successors said to have a 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch OLED panel. Comparing this with the number of iPhones that Apple ordered for the later part of 2017, it shows a drop of 20 million units. And with this report, Apple’s investors are now said to be worried.
Despite this drop in ordered iPhones, the report doesn’t really come as a surprise; especially with previously released reports on how there has been a decline in overall smartphone sales. But this doesn’t prove to be entirely accurate.
The report on the slowdown of iPhone X orders and weakening sales comes from Japanese financial daily, Nikkei. To refute those claims, Apple released its most recent quarterly earnings proving that the iPhone X was a strong product despite not hitting its goals. Proving true to this, Nikkei has been known to report such issues almost every year. And with every release, their reports never seem to show the quarterly sales report of Apple on its iPhones.
James Cordwell, an analyst at Atlantic Equities, was quoted saying: “This news needs to be viewed in the context of Apple probably being overly optimistic last year in relation to the prospects for its new phones, leaving it with excess inventory in the first part of this year. At least part of this lower order forecast probably relates to Apple just being a little more realistic.”
Apple is said to introduce three new iPhone models in the fall. All of these devices are said to have FaceID cameras.
Apple has not yet responded to requests for a comment in this latest report.
