Apple to Axe Current iPhone X After Slow Sales (Report)

The clock may be ticking on the current version of Apple's notch-bearing iPhone X.

This claim comes from highly-regarded Apple prognosticator Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at the KGI securities firm. Since Kuo's notes aren't released to the public, we've learned this from an AppleInsider report that also states Kuo's claim that Apple didn't sell as many iPhone X handsets in China as was expected, and that "the notch" is at least partially to blame.

MORE: 7 Reasons to Buy the iPhone X, and 4 Reasons to Skip

Specifically, Kuo claims that the notch that swoops down from the top of the iPhone X's OLED display led users to believe the 5.8-inch, 2436 x 1125-pixel panel offers less usable space than the 5.5-inch screen in the iPhone 8 Plus (1920 x 1080 pixels). Kuo's statement reaffirms his belief that Apple plans to add three iPhones in 2018.

A previous note from the analyst claimed that Apple will debut dual OLED-based iPhone X-like phones this year, with one being a larger 6.5-inch design and the other being the second iteration of the 5.8-inch model. We've also seen speculation of a 6.1-inch iPhone that features an LCD design, and offer a more affordable price, at between $649 and $749.

The LCD-based 2018 iPhone would reportedly share the notch-based design, but its display would feature Full Active LCD technology, which allows for less bezel, so it wouldn't look outdated compared to devices from Samsung and others that have chipped away at the bezel around the display.

If this comes true, this would mark the first time that Apple didn't offer the previous year's iPhone at a more affordable price.

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Henry was a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

4 Comments Comment from the forums

joepconnor

All the BS about how incredible the i phone 10 would be with radical changes was just hype and manipulation.
Reply
ivelbow

For me, and I think for most people, a phone is a phone and if it is practical and reliable that's what counts. There are some who want the latest and greatest but you can't run a business catering to only early adopters. Whether or not this is manipulation is irrelevant. Someone has made the common sense choice and in the long run that's good for the company, the customer and the smart phone market.
Reply
hondaintegra27

I feel like most consumers like myself buy a phone when there contract is up whatever the newest one is at that time. They dont buy based on when the phone is released. I buy a new phone every 2 years.
Reply
harryday1

Total fiction! Less than 15 hours later a report comes out that Apple sold 29M iPhone X's at the top end of analysts expectations. Yet another doom and gloom prediction leading into earnings. And how many times has Apple disappointed? Buy on any weakness.
Reply