Analyst: 2018 iPhones Releasing ‘On Time’ Due To ‘Stable Supply’ Of Components

Famous Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is once again back with another prediction regarding the Cupertino giant’s upcoming products. This time, he is claiming that with a “stable supply” of components, Apple could really launch the 2018 lineup of iPhones “on time.”

On Saturday, Apple Insider obtained a new research note from Kuo that contained the analyst’s latest prediction for Apple’s iPhone lineup. According to Kuo, previous reports about a lower-spec TrueDepth camera are totally inaccurate. He said that the components needed to produce the Face ID hardware are “now stable, leaving no need to switch to other solutions.”

As per previous reports, Apple is planning to bring some of the advanced technologies exclusive to the iPhone X this year to the less expensive models for 2018. For instance, there are speculations claiming all iPhone iterations next year will feature an OLED panel. However, some sources said that to bring the TrueDepth camera system to less expensive models, Apple will lower the specs of the feature by combining glass and plastic lenses, as pointed out by Phone Arena.

Kuo believes though that Apple won’t be implementing some changes to its TrueDepth camera system in order for it to become part of the less expensive handsets. The analyst noted that Apple will surely stick with what it has come up with for the iPhone X, so as to ensure the accuracy of Face ID on the non-flagship units. Kuo further stated that Apple now has enough supply of components to cover both the iPhone X and the 2018 models.

Apple is also said to be preventing shortages of the 2018 handsets by diversifying its supply chain. Moving forward, Apple’s glass suppliers include Largan, Hoya, Genius and Asia Optical. The diverse glass supply chain is expected to hamper any negative impact on the launch dates for the 2018 iPhones.

Interestingly, Kuo believes that Apple would still have the advantage of having 3D sensing capabilities exclusive to its iPhones until next year. The analyst predicts that the technology won’t come to Android handsets until either the second half of 2018 or the first half of 2019. This could give Apple more time to develop its 3D sensing technology better and maintain its lead against Android manufacturers.

Prior the September press event, Kuo already predicted that if Face ID is well received by consumers, it’s highly likely that Apple would bring the technology to its 2018 iPhones, according to MacRumors. However, it’s still unknown if the mass adoption of TrueDepth camera with the 2018 handsets could be signaling the demise of Touch ID. Kuo said at the time that Apple would likely keep Touch ID if it could come up with a technology that would enable the fingerprint reader to function when placed under the display.

Meanwhile, Kuo also believes that it’s not just the 2018 iPhones that would be sporting the TrueDepth camera system. The analyst claims Apple will likely integrate the technology into the upcoming iterations of the iPad series. If true, this would encourage developers to come up with more applications that utilize Face ID and facial recognition capabilities.