Apple Planning to Release Cheaper iPhone X Models Next Year?
Apple is banking on its iPhone X to ship tens of millions before the end of the year, but an almost $1000 price tag could trip up these figures. The company is rumored to be releasing two iPhone X models that will be cheaper than the first release.
Sources placed up in the Apple supply chain seem to suggest that the company is exploring cheaper iPhone X variants for next year, according to Apple Insider. These models, reportedly codenamed "Lisbon" and "Hangzhou," could be Apple's answer for the more price-sensitive markets in Asia, according to Chinese news outlet Economic Daily.
These models will include many of the technologies developed for the iPhone X but will come about $90 cheaper, according to Japanese Apple rumor site Macotakara. It's about the same price that the iPhone X is projected to be a year from now, although it remains to be seen if these two models will feature the same form factor.
These rumors came up in the wake of reports that weak demand for the iPhone 8 has caused Apple shares to drop nearly three percent last week, as reported by Reuters on Thursday, Oct. 19.
Wireless carriers in the U.S. and Canada have reported a slow third quarter for the first of Apple's flagship phones this year. While sales are generally expected to trend up as November and the holiday season approaches, they still estimate that the premium price of these phones could drag sales figures down.
Canada's largest mobile network, Rogers Communication, described the demand for the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 plus as "anemic." Both models have been out since September, and it's not boding well for the eventual launch of the even more expensive iPhone X on Nov. 3.
