iPhone X: Apple shares drop amid rumours that demand is low for iPhone 8

One report suggested the new phone was being outsold by last year's model

Andrew Griffin
Friday 20 October 2017 10:52 BST
Comments
A customer inspects the new Apple iPhone 8 at an Apple Store on September 22, 2017 in San Francisco, California
A customer inspects the new Apple iPhone 8 at an Apple Store on September 22, 2017 in San Francisco, California (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Apple's iPhone 8 might have a problem: its other phones are just too alluring.

The company's shares dropped in recent days amid reports about slow demand for the iPhone 8. And that seems to be becuase it's competing with two main phones: last year's iPhone 7, and the upcoming iPhone X.

Last week, a report claimed that last year's model was outselling this year's iPhone 8. Though this year's phone includes a range of new features – like wireless charging, and a much upgraded camera and processor – the two handsets look mostly similar and the iPhone 7 sells for considerably less.

Demand is also being hurt by the upcoming iPhone X, reports have suggested. That phone was announced at the same time but isn't available until early November, apparently to give Apple time to build the advanced and new features that mark out the premium iPhone.

Together, those problems have led to rumours that demand for the iPhone 8 is being dampened. The company has cut production of the new phone by 50 per cent – a more sudden cut than has ever happened before – according to one report that led Apple's share price to drop nearly 2.5 per cent.

Apple's approach to the new phone, which will see it launch the more pedestrian iPhone 8 and then follow it with the premium iPhone X, has never beent tried before. Reports suggest that the iPhone 8 is selling well but many people are waiting for the new phone, which opens for pre-orders on 24 October and goes on sale a week later.

But they might be waiting for some time. Numerous reports suggest that Apple is struggling to make the new phone in big numbers, leading some to speculate that it won't be readily available until well into 2018.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in