You should buy an iPhone 8, as analysts predict iPhone X will be SOLD-OUT until 2018

APPLE fans could struggle to get their hands on the next-generation iPhone X until spring 2018, prominent technology analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed.

iPhone X will purportedly be sold-out until mid-2018, whereas iPhone 8 is available nowGETTY

iPhone X will purportedly be sold-out until mid-2018, whereas iPhone 8 is available now

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus went on sale in the UK and across the world last week.

Both new phones include a True Tone display, improved rear cameras and redesigned LED flash system, as well as support for wireless charging via the Qi standard.

In other words, the and iPhone 8 Plus are iterative updates on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus before them.

Alongside these new updates, Apple announced a revolutionary new model – .

The Cupertino-based company said this new iPhone would “set the path for technology for the next decade”.

“It is the biggest leap forward since the original iPhone,” Apple CEO Tim Cook announced on-stage during the launch event.

And it sounds like iPhone X is going to be extremely popular with customers.

According to the latest estimates, iPhone fans hoping to upgrade might not be able to get their hands on this all-new iOS device anytime soon.

Renown KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that iPhone X demand could reach as high as 40-50 million units due to strong interest in the new phone.

Kuo believes that pent-up demand for this new iPhone, which has been rumoured for more than 18 months before its launch, could result in demand topping 50 million units.

For comparison, Apple sold 41 million iPhones during its last financial quarter.

Apple CEO Tim Cook shows off the all-new iPhone XGETTY

Apple CEO Tim Cook shows off the all-new iPhone X

In the crucial holiday shopping period last year, the US technology company sold a record-breaking 78.3 million iPhones, with most of the demand fuelled by the iPhone 7 Plus and its new dual-camera system.

Even by these impressive standards, 40-50 million iPhone X units would be an incredible feat for Apple.

Ming-Chi Kuo, who is typically very accurate when it comes to speculating about Apple, believes iPhone X production will begin in earnest by October 2017.

Apple launches brand new iPhone X features

However the complication True Depth camera system – which includes an infrared camera, flood illuminator, 7MP camera, and dot projector – is notoriously difficult to manufacture in high volumes, Kuo has noted.

The combination of the pent-up demand and the slower manufacturing process could leave supplies constrained until well into the first half of 2018.

Ming-Chi Kuo doesn’t expect supply to catch-up with demand until spring.

Pre-orders for the iPhone X will be available live on October 27th at 8.01am, with the first units available in-store on November 3rd.

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