Apple Loop: New iPhone Cancelled, Surprising 2018 iPhone Pricing Leaks, Apple Fights For Your Trust
Why Apple Can Cancel The iPhone X
Most iPhones models stay in Apple’s portfolio for a number of years, but when you look at all the information doing out this week, it’s clear that the iPhone X, Apple’s current flagship - is going to be dropped from the line-up in September for a replacement 5.8 inch ‘X2’, and not even be given the chance of being the lower priced entry-level model. Forbes’ Gordon Kelly explains the cancellation:
Whereas all previous leaks claimed Apple would launch an iPhone X-inspired entry-level model at $799, Kuo states Apple has been able to produce it for just $550. This would be a stunning breakthrough. The new model in question not only carries the same core design as the iPhone X, but increases the screen size to 6.1-inches and features Face ID facial recognition.
…With Apple also slashing the price of a second generation iPhone X and releasing a new top-of-the-range iPhone X Plus at the original’s $999 price point, this explains why there is no longer room for Apple to continue to iPhone X for a second year - as it has done so successfully with past iPhone models.
New iPhone X Screen Production Begins
Production on the OLED screens for the next generation of iPhones is set to start next month. The OLED screens for both the iPhone X replacement and the new phablet-sized variant will once more be supplied by Samsung. I wonder how many Apple have ordered?
Samsung had previously reduced its OLED output because of the impact of one supplier reducing its order during Q1 2018. Widely assumed to be Apple reacting to the slower sales and demand for the iPhone X, the restarting of production suggests that Apple is looking to build up a significant level of stock ahead of the launch of the new devices. This would avoid the six-week waiting time many iFans experienced when ordering the iPhone X after the 2017 launch.
It also assumes that Apple has correctly predicted the demand for its new portfolio.
Advertising is displayed on a gigantic canvas for the iPhone X on the Louvre on February 02, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by John van Hasselt/Corbis via Getty Images)
New iPhone Pricing Shows Expensive Portfolio
Apple CEO Tim Cook looks set to continue his drive to keep iPhone revenue as high as possible by maximizing the margins on this year’s iPhone, even if reduces market share and unit sales. Pricing details have been discussed in the Economic Daily News. Forbes’ Gordon Kelly reports:
When Apple releases its 2018 iPhones there will be no iPhone 9 or iPhone 9 Plus. The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus were editions for their well-worn designs. Instead, Apple will introduce three new iPhone X-inspired models:
iPhone X SE (new model) - $799; iPhone X (second generation) - $899; iPhone X Plus (new model) - $999.
Yes, entry-level pricing for these new iPhones will increase $100 with the iPhone X SE (also dubbed the ‘iPhone SE2’ by some - an LCD-based, single camera version of the iPhone X), but the second generation iPhone X will decrease by $100 to make room for a larger and top of the range 6.5-inch ‘iPhone X Plus’ that remains just under $1,000.
Presumably these are for the ‘entry level’ models with limited storage. You want some heft for your 4K videos? Add another $150-$200. More here on Forbes.
First Review Of The iPhone 8 Product (Red)
Last week saw Apple launch a reworked iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus under the charitable Product(Red) branding. As expected they have a slightly different shade of red to accommodate the wireless charging technology, but the most visible change in this Product(Red) device is the front fascia - the switch from white to black makes all the difference. David Phelan takes his first look at the handset:
">Many people will right now be saying, 'I told you so,' with some smugness today. Last year's (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus had a white front, like the silver and gold finish models. Not everybody liked this, it's fair to say and made clear Apple should have gone for a black frame, as found the black and jet black iPhone 7.
Personally, I always prefer phones which have light-colored front faces around the screen. True, when the screen is off it highlights the blackness of the display, but when it's on it makes the colors look brighter - though I suspect this is an optical illusion. Anyway, despite that, I'm won over by the new design which looks tremendous, the darkness of the red complementing the dark frame of the display.
Taking a look back at another week of news from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes the cancellation of the iPhone X, start of production of the new iPhone X screen, how much your new iPhone will cost, first reviews of the iPhone 8 Product (Red), external GPU performance notes under macOS, Apple’s war over trust, and questioning what ‘space grey’ actually is.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the very many discussions that have happened around Apple over the last seven days (and you can read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes).
Why Apple Can Cancel The iPhone X
Most iPhones models stay in Apple’s portfolio for a number of years, but when you look at all the information doing out this week, it’s clear that the iPhone X, Apple’s current flagship - is going to be dropped from the line-up in September for a replacement 5.8 inch ‘X2’, and not even be given the chance of being the lower priced entry-level model. Forbes’ Gordon Kelly explains the cancellation:
Whereas all previous leaks claimed Apple would launch an iPhone X-inspired entry-level model at $799, Kuo states Apple has been able to produce it for just $550. This would be a stunning breakthrough. The new model in question not only carries the same core design as the iPhone X, but increases the screen size to 6.1-inches and features Face ID facial recognition.
…With Apple also slashing the price of a second generation iPhone X and releasing a new top-of-the-range iPhone X Plus at the original’s $999 price point, this explains why there is no longer room for Apple to continue to iPhone X for a second year - as it has done so successfully with past iPhone models.
New iPhone X Screen Production Begins
Production on the OLED screens for the next generation of iPhones is set to start next month. The OLED screens for both the iPhone X replacement and the new phablet-sized variant will once more be supplied by Samsung. I wonder how many Apple have ordered?
Samsung had previously reduced its OLED output because of the impact of one supplier reducing its order during Q1 2018. Widely assumed to be Apple reacting to the slower sales and demand for the iPhone X, the restarting of production suggests that Apple is looking to build up a significant level of stock ahead of the launch of the new devices. This would avoid the six-week waiting time many iFans experienced when ordering the iPhone X after the 2017 launch.
It also assumes that Apple has correctly predicted the demand for its new portfolio.
Advertising is displayed on a gigantic canvas for the iPhone X on the Louvre on February 02, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by John van Hasselt/Corbis via Getty Images)
New iPhone Pricing Shows Expensive Portfolio
Apple CEO Tim Cook looks set to continue his drive to keep iPhone revenue as high as possible by maximizing the margins on this year’s iPhone, even if reduces market share and unit sales. Pricing details have been discussed in the Economic Daily News. Forbes’ Gordon Kelly reports:
When Apple releases its 2018 iPhones there will be no iPhone 9 or iPhone 9 Plus. The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus were editions for their well-worn designs. Instead, Apple will introduce three new iPhone X-inspired models:
iPhone X SE (new model) - $799; iPhone X (second generation) - $899; iPhone X Plus (new model) - $999.
Yes, entry-level pricing for these new iPhones will increase $100 with the iPhone X SE (also dubbed the ‘iPhone SE2’ by some - an LCD-based, single camera version of the iPhone X), but the second generation iPhone X will decrease by $100 to make room for a larger and top of the range 6.5-inch ‘iPhone X Plus’ that remains just under $1,000.
Presumably these are for the ‘entry level’ models with limited storage. You want some heft for your 4K videos? Add another $150-$200. More here on Forbes.
First Review Of The iPhone 8 Product (Red)
Last week saw Apple launch a reworked iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus under the charitable Product(Red) branding. As expected they have a slightly different shade of red to accommodate the wireless charging technology, but the most visible change in this Product(Red) device is the front fascia - the switch from white to black makes all the difference. David Phelan takes his first look at the handset:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2018/04/20/apple-news-headlines-iphonex-iphone-cancel-price-release-productred-review/Many people will right now be saying, 'I told you so,' with some smugness today. Last year's (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus had a white front, like the silver and gold finish models. Not everybody liked this, it's fair to say and made clear Apple should have gone for a black frame, as found the black and jet black iPhone 7.
Personally, I always prefer phones which have light-colored front faces around the screen. True, when the screen is off it highlights the blackness of the display, but when it's on it makes the colors look brighter - though I suspect this is an optical illusion. Anyway, despite that, I'm won over by the new design which looks tremendous, the darkness of the red complementing the dark frame of the display.