Wall Street analysts have thrown a fresh log onto the fire of those iPhone X supply shortage rumours, meaning those who were planning to get one will either need a fuckload of luck or a patient disposition.
Everyone’s favourite iPhone rumour lord, Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities reckons the shortage is so dire, there’ll only be 2 to 3 million of the new smartphones available worldwide when it launches on November 3. That might sound like a lot, but it really isn’t. To put it in perspective, Apple sold 13 million units of the iPhone 6S during the first weekend of its release.
While it was previously assumed component shortages would lead to a delay of some kind, it’s the first time old mate Kuo has put a number on the situation. Worse yet, the small number of handsets will likely head to US and European markets ahead of us here. This all boils down to you not getting an iPhone X until early next year.
If demand for the smartphone stays at current levels, only 1 out of every 4 consumers will be lucky enough to get one at launch.
While many would be quick to point the finger at the phone’s display for causing the shortage, it’s actually the flexible printed circuit board used for the antenna that’s causing the bulk of the issues. Allegedly, Apple even had to switch suppliers due to getting subpar parts from their original.
It all sounds pretty grim, but Kuo reckons the company will be pumping out enough units to meet demand after a couple of months. So you just gotta hang in there a little longer, pals.
Pre-orders for the iPhone X open this Friday the 27th of October. The handset will be available on November 3rd if you can get one.
