Apple’s 10th anniversary iPhone, tentatively called iPhone 8 or iPhone X, has been subject to a large number of leaks and rumors. The rumor mill and Wall Street analysts largely agree on some of its key features such as an edge-to-edge OLED display, no physical home button, and a vertical dual camera system. One thing they still haven’t agreed on is the iPhone 8 release date.
Will Apple consider launching the iPhone 8 on a Monday?
Noted graphic designer and leaker Benjamin Geskin has revealed the iPhone 8 release date. Geskin gained popularity with his concept designs of unreleased Apple products, which were based on supply chain rumors. Earlier this week, he posted a video of a “dummy” iPhone 8 model highlighting the major design changes. Though his concept designs have always been interesting, Geskin is yet to prove himself as a reliable leaker.
Apple's iPhone 8 / 7s Keynote will be held on September 17.
Sales September 25.— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) May 25, 2017
On Thursday, Geskin said in a tweet that the iPhone 8 along with the iPhone 7S and 7S Plus would be announced on September 17. The devices will go on sale on September 25 in key markets. The Cupertino company has historically announced its phones in September, but things don’t look good here. Geskin clarified in a subsequent tweet that the information was “not 100% confirmed yet.”
Information is not 100% confirmed yet.
— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) May 25, 2017
Benjamin Geskin seems to be missing the mark on both the unveiling date and the release date. If you take a look at your calendar, September 17 falls on a Sunday, and September 25 falls on a Monday. There is little chance Apple would unveil its flagship product on a Sunday. Even if the company somehow chooses to announce the iPhone 8 on Sunday, there is no chance it would release the device on a Monday. Apple fans know it well that the company launches its iPhones on Fridays, not Mondays.
Experts differ on the iPhone 8 release date
The rumor mill has no idea at this point about the iPhone 8 release date. The device will pack several new technologies, which have been causing production and yield issues. If Apple manages to fix the problems in time, the phone would launch in September; else we have to wait until October or November to get our hands on the 10th-anniversary model.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has learned from reliable supply chain sources that the iPhone 8 production would ramp up in October/November. The Cupertino company has historically ramped up production in August/September for September launch. An October/November ramp up schedule points to a 1-2 month delay in iPhone 8 launch. However, the iPhone 7S and 7S Plus are expected to hit the store shelves in September itself.
Meanwhile, well-known Twitter tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer aka @OnLeaks said earlier this month that the iPhone 8 development was on schedule. Mass production will begin in August for September launch, which means there will be no delay. A few other reports have claimed that even if Apple manages to release the iPhone 8 in September, the device would face supply shortages during the first few weeks due to limited production.
According to my sources: DVT started last month. PVT will start between June and July. Final mass production in August for September launch. https://t.co/2M2YyMjyi8
— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) May 11, 2017
iPhone 8 case available on Alibaba
The iPhone 8 release date may still be several months away, but accessories for the phone have already started surfacing on the Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba. Folks at the Japanese Apple blog Mac Otakara purchased an iPhone 8 case from Alibaba and created a video comparing it to the current iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. The video offers a clear picture of its design elements.
It’s clear from the video that the iPhone 8 will be significantly smaller than the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus. In fact, it is closer to the iPhone 7 in dimensions. It corroborates with previous rumors that the iPhone 8 would pack a 5.8-inch display in a form factor similar to the iPhone 7. When Mac Otakara placed an iPhone 7 inside the case, it felt “quite loose.” The publication said the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 is slightly thinner and smaller than the iPhone 8.
Leaked schematics in the past have suggested that the 10th anniversary iPhone would measure 144 x 71 x 7.7mm. By comparison, the iPhone 7 measures 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1mm. The case also has a cutout for the vertical dual camera system. Based on a comparison in the video, the iPhone 8 dual camera setup could be larger in size than that on the iPhone 7 Plus.
iPhone 8’s higher price tag won’t deter buyers
The iPhone 8 is going to be more expensive than any other iPhone till date, predict Wall Street analysts. While some analysts expect the base model to cost $999, Steven Milunovich of UBS Securities predicts the base iPhone 8 model would cost $870 and the highest storage variant will be priced at $1,070. Despite its higher price tag, the device is going to attract more buyers than the iterative upgrades iPhone 7S and 7S Plus.
As we have seen with the iPhone 7 Plus, customers are willing to shell out a higher amount for exciting new features. Even in China where Apple’s sales have been declining, the iPhone 7 Plus has been flying off the shelves. It’s a clear indication that the iPhone 8’s higher price tag would not deter buyers.