New Report Suggests Apple Could Delay 'iPhone 8' Launch to October or November

Apple could delay its rumored high-end iPhone with a 5.8-inch edge-to-edge OLED display until October or even November, according to a new report out on Wednesday.

In recent years, Apple has released its iPhone updates in September, but according to Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN), suppliers are encountering "technical issues" in the production of the upcoming "iPhone 8" because of differences in the display lamination process and challenges involved in integrating the 3D sensing front camera system.

iPhone 8 function area concept image 005
The report tallies with a rumor that circulated last month suggesting the iPhone 8 may go on sale later than usual, due to the switch to an OLED display and the new technology needed. In such a scenario, the launch of an iPhone 7s and 7s Plus would go ahead in September as scheduled, with the higher-end iPhone 8 coming later in the year.

Such a staggered release would be highly untypical of Apple, and it's hard to imagine the company holding a September launch event for "S" cycle iPhones with no mention of the highly rumored OLED device. However, it is possible the higher-end phone could be revealed at the same time but launched in limited quantities or at a later date. Barclays analysts recently claimed that Apple will launch its "10th anniversary iPhone" in the usual September timeframe, albeit in short supply until a full stock arrives in the fourth quarter.

Earlier this week it was reported that Apple has placed an order for 70 million OLED panels from Samsung, anticipating high demand. Samsung is preparing to be able to produce up to 95 million panels in 2017, said the sources.

Market watchers are said to be analyzing the pull-in of orders for passive components from the iPhone's supply chain to see whether production of the new iPhone devices is on track, according to EDN. Apart from the edge-to-edge OLED display, the "iPhone 8" is expected to include wireless charging, no physical Home button, and perhaps 3D facial recognition and/or iris scanning. In addition, rumors suggest that Touch ID could be embedded in or under a True Tone display.

(Via DigiTimes.)

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

2024 iPhone Boxes Feature

iPhones Could Cost Up to $2,300 in the U.S. Due to Tariffs, Analyst Says

Friday April 4, 2025 9:30 am PDT by
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that steep tariffs will be applied to imports from many countries, starting April 9. The tariffs could have a significant impact on Apple, as the company assembles the majority of iPhones in China, and products imported to the U.S. from China will be subject to a 54% tariff. iPhone prices could increase by up to 43% in the U.S. due to the...
iOS 19 Mock WWDC25 Feature

iOS 19 Expected to Run on These iPhones

Monday March 31, 2025 5:28 pm PDT by
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past. The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected...
iphone 16 pro colors 1

Is Now the Time to Upgrade Apple Devices Before Tariffs Lead to Price Increases?

Friday April 4, 2025 3:41 pm PDT by
If you have an older Apple device that you've been considering upgrading, you're probably wondering how the newly announced tariffs might impact prices going forward, and whether it's worth buying now before there's a price hike. Given analyst and economist responses to the tariffs, market panic, and Trump's stance on the current financial chaos, the answer is that making a purchase...
iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro: New 48MP Telephoto Lens May Change How Zoom Works

Thursday April 3, 2025 5:11 am PDT by
Apple is reportedly planning a major upgrade to the Telephoto camera in the iPhone 17 Pro, and while it may seem like a step back on paper, the change could actually improve real-world usability, if one leaker's claims are anything to go by. According to Majin Bu, the iPhone 17 Pro will feature a new Telephoto lens with a 48MP sensor, up from the current 12MP sensor found in the iPhone 16...
watchOS 11 Thumb 2 1

Apple Releases watchOS 11.4 With Sleep Alarm Update

Tuesday April 1, 2025 10:34 am PDT by
Apple today released watchOS 11.4, the fourth major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.4 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2. watchOS 11.4 can be downloaded on a connected iPhone by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software,...
iOS 18

12 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.4

Tuesday April 1, 2025 4:06 am PDT by
Apple has released iOS 18.4, bringing further refinements to Apple Intelligence features, a neat new capability to iPhone 15 Pro devices, new emoji, and more. While not quite as packed with new features as Apple's preceding iOS 18 point releases, iOS 18.4 still introduces enhancements that aim to make your iPhone smarter and more intuitive. Below, we've listed 12 new things your ‌iPhone‌ ...

Top Rated Comments

nfl46 Avatar
105 months ago
Lol. EVERY year we hear this same report and the iPhone is released at the normal schedule.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TwoBytes Avatar
105 months ago
It's delayed already and it's not even out? Sounds like the Apple of late.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tentales Avatar
105 months ago
Hmm, if only they had a savvy supply-chain guy. Whatever happened to him?
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JeffyTheQuik Avatar
105 months ago
*YAWN*

The iPhone New Dance continues...

October, year before - "I can't wait to see what's happening next year!"
January, year of launch - "The iPhone New will read your mind!"
February, year of launch - "The iPhone New will be be able to find water in the Sahara!"
March, year of launch - "The iPhone New will launch and skip the standard #/#S cycle!"
April, year of launch - "The iPhone New cool feature list will be delayed until 20xx+2!"
June, year of launch - "LOOK WHAT I FOUND IN iOS X+1!!!! It'll have a screen that is 1 pixel wider and taller!"
July, year of launch - "Every detail of iPhone New is leaked."
August, year of launch - The rumor mill goes strangely quiet.
September, year of launch - "This is the most Awesomeist iPhone EVER!" - Tim Cook. "Why didn't it have a blood testing port for diabetics, like I read on MacRumors?" - Random person
October, year of launch - "I can't wait to see what's happening next year!"
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maflynn Avatar
105 months ago
I think it's a little childish that everyone expects Apple to have enough iPhones for everyone on launch day.
Childish to expect a company to provide something they released :rolleyes:
Many other manufacturers have figured out that if they build more product prior the release day then people don't have to wait two months for it

Apple does it, as an artificial means to show how much the iPhones are in demand.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fermat-au Avatar
105 months ago
Apple dodged a bullet* last year with the Galaxy Note 7... given the iPhone 7 wasn't a giant leap over the 6/6S. The Galaxy S8 looks amazing and along with the Pixel etc Apple can not afford any "technical issues" or delays with this year's iPhone.

* or should that be shrapnel
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)