iPhone 8 Release Date Delay: New Apple Phone Could Be 3-4 Weeks Late, Says Bank Of America

Apple’s iPhone 8 release date could be delayed by around three to four weeks — almost a month — according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the corporate and investment banking division of Bank of America. The firm made the prediction after a recent supply chain visit.

On Wednesday, analysts Wamsi Mohan and Stefano Pascale of the firm penned a report about the iPhone 8 that was forwarded to CNBC. In the report, the two indicated the length of time the highly anticipated handset could be delayed. “Our conversations with the Supply Chain suggest that the iPhone 8 will ship 3-4 weeks delayed given technological issues which Apple and its suppliers are working through,” the analysts wrote.

According to Mohan and Pascale, Apple is having problems with the fingerprint and 3D sensors it intends to incorporate into the device. Though Apple has not announced the iPhone 8 release date, many are anticipating its launch to happen this September. If the analysts’ prediction turn out to be correct, then consumers could expect the handset to arrive in October instead. This is still purely speculation however because Apple has declined to comment on the issue.

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iPhone 8 Rumors: Software Problems

The new report appears to corroborate what an unnamed tipster disclosed to Fast Company earlier today. The source shared that Apple’s engineers and designers are already in panic to fix some problems with the 10th anniversary iPhone. As opposed to what Mohan and Pascale wrote that the technological issues have to do with the sensors though, the anonymous source said the iPhone team is actually struggling to fix software problems with the Galaxy S8 rival.

The same source claimed Apple could be launching the iPhone 8 with some major features disabled for fear that the software problems could delay the production and delivery of the handset to consumers. This would then be reminiscent of what Samsung did with its Galaxy S8 and S8+ smartphones early this year. The two Android flagship offerings apparently shipped sans one of its major features, Bixby Voice.

Given all these reports about trouble in the development of the iPhone 8, analysts have decided to cut their expectations for the quarter ending in September by 11 million, as per Apple Insider. They also anticipate a 6 million loss by the holiday quarter due to the possible delay. Nonetheless, they are predicting that Apple’s next iOS flagship phone could do well in 2018.

ALSO READ: Apple facing iPhone 8 wireless charging, 3D sensor software issues

iPhone 8 Rumors: Specs & Features

Per previous reports, the iPhone 8 could debut with an edge-to-edge OLED display. The bezel-less design of the handset is expected to allow for a much bigger battery capacity. Another standout feature that’s expected to be part of the smartphone is the rumored 3D facial scanner, which will be useful in user verification.

The iPhone 7 successor is also anticipated to feature wireless charging technology. There’s also mention of a vertically aligned dual-lens module that will make use of augmented reality as one of its software features. Because of the complete redesign and the advanced features of the phone, it is expected to launch with a hefty price tag that could be more than $1,000.