iPhone 8 Pre-Orders Reportedly Begin Next Friday, But Face Shipping Delays

The iPhone 8 will be available for preorders on Sept. 15 but won’t ship until October, supply chain sources told Macotakara [via AppleInsider].

The report comes as Apple gears up for its iPhone event next week in which it is expected to reveal the iPhone 8 (and iPhone 7s).

While the report claims the iPhone 8's release date will be pushed back because of a delayed production start, the other two iPhones, dubbed the iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus are expected launch on time. The iPhone 7s models could start shipping on Sept. 22 to pre-order customers and at retail stores.

Mixed Reports On iPhone 8 Release Date

Numerous reports have pointed to a delayed release date for the iPhone 8, which could also be called the iPhone X, iPhone Pro or iPhone Edition. Some rumors suggested Apple was running into trouble with the device’s embedded Touch ID and OLED display screens, which are said to be supplied by Samsung. Another report said Apple could push back the release date of the device because it had not finalized the iPhone 8’s specifications until just a week ago.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said last month the iPhone 8 will be launched on time alongside the iPhone 7S, but will release in extremely limited quantities. Kuo said Apple’s supply chain is expected to produce between two million and four million units this quarter. He predicts production of the 10th anniversary iPhone will ramp up quickly reaching between 45 million and 50 million units this year.

Meanwhile, another report said Apple was on schedule with the OLED displays, reporting that production for the device’s OLED screen was ramping up in August with Samsung prepared to operate seven OLED production lines at “full scale.”

iPhone 8 Rumors, Features

The iPhone 8 is expected to feature wireless charging technology, which could include a standalone charging accessory that will be sold on the side. The device is also expected to support faster charging.

The 10th anniversary smartphone will also support augmented reality capabilities through iOS 11. Apple revealed its ARKit toolset for developers in June, which allows developers to create AR apps for the iOS 11.

The iPhone 8 is rumored to come with a vertical dual-camera system, different from its horizontal placement on the iPhone 7 Plus. The device’s front and back camera will be able to record 4K resolution videos in 60 frames-per-second, Apple’s HomePod firmware suggests. The speaker’s firmware also points to an infra-red front camera with 3D face unlocking capability, which could replace the physical fingerprint button.

The iPhone 8 could also include a True Tone feature, which allows the display to adjust depending on the environment it’s in. True Tone is currently available on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro and changes its screen based on where it’s in. For example, if a room has a yellow, dim lighting, the iPad’s display will switch to a warm color, and if it is used outside on a cloudy day, the screen’s color will adjust to a cool blue tone.

The iPhone 8 price is expected to cost more than $1,000, Goldman Sachs analysts said earlier this year.

Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 8 on September 12 at 1 a.m. EDT in the Steve Jobs Theater at the new Apple Park campus in Cupertino, Calif. Aside from showing off the 10th anniversary iPhone and the two other LCD iPhone 7s models, the company is also rumored to reveal the Apple Watch Series 3 and a new Apple TV.

watchOS 4 for the Apple Watch and iOS 11, the software update that will accompany the iPhone 8, are expected to be released a day or two after the event next week.

iOS 11 will further boost the iPhone 8. Apple recently sent an alert to iOS users offering tips on how to use the new update’s features, which include a Do Not Disturb While Driving mode, personal DJ, Files app, revamped Control Center and new Live Photo options. iOS 11 will also include a person-to-person payment feature with Apple that will be integrated into iMessage.