iPhone 8 release date UPDATE might just be the WORST news yet for Apple fanboys
THE iPhone 8 release date might not arrive until 2019, according to a new report by technology analysts from Deutsche Bank.
Apple could see iPhone 8 blocked in US over licensing fee dispute
Those waiting for the iPhone 8 before upgrading their Apple smartphone could have a little longer to wait than expected.
According to a new analyst report from Deutsche Bank, the delays affecting the iPhone 8 will push the release date into 2018.
iPhone 8 was purportedly scheduled for a September 2017 launch window, alongside the iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus.
The next-generation Apple iPhone 8, which will mark the 10th anniversary of the best-selling smartphone range, will feature a radical new industrial design.
Apple is expected to drop the physical Home Button from the front of the iPhone 8, allowing display to extend to the edge of the chassis.
The Cupertino-based company is purportedly planning to embed the Touch ID fingerprint scanner technology, which until now has been housed within the Home Button, underneath the edge-to-edge glass display.
But a frustratingly low yield rate for this new technology has reportedly slowed production of the iPhone 8.
Apple is believed to be considering other options, including moving the Touch ID fingerprint scanner to the rear of the phone.
The latest Deutsche Bank analyst report, which is based on a report from ValueWalk, references "technical challenges" as one of the primary reasons for the iPhone 8 release date delay.
The research note says "report suggests no new iPhone 8 this calendar year.
"As we have written in previous [research notes], several supply chain reports have suggested that key component shortages and technical challenges could delay the release of a high-end iPhone 8 device this fall.
"We believe this report further underscores the uncertainty around the timing of Apple's next-generation iPhone model."
This is the most drastic delay we've heard about, however, there does appear to be a consensus amongst Apple watchers that the iPhone 8 might miss its September launch window.
Last month, Pacific Crest Securities published a research note that revealed Apple has yet to place a firm order with its chosen optical fingerprint module provider ahead of iPhone 8 production.
According to the Pacific Crest Securities investors note, "The anticipated move to a full-screen OLED panel in the coming iPhone 8/X eliminates the physical home button, which necessitates a move to a virtual home button and an optical fingerprint sensing solution to read fingerprints through the OLED panel.
"At this point, we do not believe Apple's optical fingerprint module provider has firm orders for production, which suggests Apple does not have functionality of the optical fingerprint sensor ready."
Most analysts believe Apple will launch a single, expensive iPhone 8 with an edge-to-edge display, dual-cameras on the front and rear, and Touch ID scanner either embedded beneath the display or relocated to the back of the device, alongside two iPhone 7 models.
The latter will likely ship with a new colour, as well as minor improvements to the speed and camera.
