Apple Reportedly Delaying iPhone 8, 7s And 7s Plus Launch To October Or November

Apple is known to keep its tradition of unveiling its next-generation iPhones in September since the iPhone 5, but it appears it won’t be doing the same thing with its new handsets this year. A new report is now saying that the iPhone 8, 7s and 7s Plus could be announced possibly in October or November.

On Wednesday, DigiTimes learned from Chinese language publication Economic Daily News that there are signs suggesting Apple could be pushing back the launch of the new iPhones to the 10th month or the penultimate month of 2017. Apparently, some “technical issues” with the lamination of the curved OLED panels are hindering Tim Cook’s company from meeting its deadline and introducing the iOS handsets in September.

There also appears to be a problem with the adoption of the 3D sensing system of the new iPhones, and this is not good news to the Cupertino giant since it is expected to hold a launch event in the same month as the previous iPhone unveiling events. Market sources told the Chinese publication that they are closely keeping track of Apple’s orders for passive components from its suppliers at this point to see whether production of the iPhone 8 and the two other models are on track.

READ: iPhone 8 to cost more than Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+?

Reports saying Apple is facing production problems with its new iPhones are not new at all. 9To5Mac pointed out that in early March there was already a report claiming the iPhone 8 could start shipping at a later date because Samsung’s biggest rival needs enough time to ramp production of the 3D sensing front camera components.

Apple is reportedly starting the production of its A11 chips this month, but the iPhone 8 will not enter mass production until September. This means it’s still possible that Apple could be holding its launch event for the new iPhones this September, but consumers would have to wait a little longer until the devices hit the market. Last year, the iPhone 7 was unveiled on Sept. 7, then it went on sale on the 16th. With the problems Apple is facing, the gap between the unveiling and the official release of the next-generation iPhones is expected to be longer.

Industry sources are also claiming it’s possible that Apple could be launching the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus in September just so it could continue its streak of releasing new smartphones in the said month. Then, a month or two later, the company could be holding a separate unveiling for its 10th anniversary iPhone, which boasts of more advanced technologies and a redesigned body.