iPhone X Release Date, Pre-Order Update: Manufacturers Struggling With Face ID Components

Yet another report, this time from Nikkei, claims Apple is facing production issues with the iPhone X’s 3D sensors for the new Face ID feature. This could severely impact the availability of the iPhone X on its release date as pre order for the phone are set to begin.

iPhone X manufacturers are reportedly struggling with the dot projector on the device’s TrueDepth camera. The dot projector, dubbed Romeo, uses a laser to beam 30,000 infrared dots on the user’s face to map their unique traits, while the receiving module is called Juliet. Trouble with Romeo modules are reportedly holding back mass production of the iPhone X.

The report comes as Apple gears up to start taking pre-orders for the iPhone X this month.

Thursday’s report echoes a Wall Street Journal article last month that also pointed to struggles in the iPhone X’s production, particularly the Romeo modules. The assembly of Romeo has reportedly taken more time than Juliet, meaning there were more Juliets than Romeos.

Face ID is an important feature, since the iPhone X has no fingerprint scanner. The facial recognition system is used to unlock the device and make payments. The TrueDepth camera system is also needed for Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting options when taking selfies with the front-facing camera.

Limited iPhone X Release Date Units?

Analyst Jeff Pu from Taipei-based Yuanta Investment Consulting told Nikkei the iPhone X will enter mass production in mid-October and will start to ship from China in the third week of this month. However, he changed his prediction of how many iPhone Xs will be produced this year from 40 million to 36 million units.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also previously predicted mass production of the iPhone X will begin in mid or late October. Kuo said Apple may not have enough iPhone Xs to go around when it launches, especially since consumers are overlooking the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus for the 10th anniversary device. Raymond James chip analyst Christopher Caso, who conducted supply chain checks in Asia, also suggested last month Apple could have trouble getting iPhone X unites to customers when it releases.

Meanwhile, previous report by the Journal said that although the assembly process for the Romeo modules were "moving smoothly," the production issue Apple faced could further limit the number of iPhone Xs available when it launches in November.

iPhone X Pre-Order, Release Date

Apple will start taking pre-orders for the iPhone X on Oct. 27 and will launch the device Nov. 3. The 10th anniversary device will be offered in 64GB and 256GB starting at $999.

iPhone X Features

Besides the Face ID, the iPhone X has other features the recently released iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus don’t have. The 10th anniversary device comes with an edge-to-edge Super Retina display with OLED technology. The iPhone X also features Animoji, which are customized animated emoji that users can use to express their emotions on iMessage. The smartphone also comes with a vertical-dual camera system, which includes larger and faster sensors. The iPhone X, like the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, features wireless charging capabilities, is waterproof and supports augmented reality apps.