Apple is Purportedly Ramping Up Production of the iPhone 8 Earlier Than Usual

Apple is ramping up production of the iPhone 8 earlier than expected, according to a research note from BlueFin. “Early indication AAPL trying to pull in next generation iPhone builds as much as possible,” wrote partners John Donovan and Steve Mullane via Barron's.

The most intriguing data points that we have uncovered suggests that AAPL is ramping the next generation iPhones earlier than historical norms, although we have no indication that there has been any change in release plans for the iPhone 8/X. Builds have been pulled in a few months while aggregate next generation forecasts have increased 10% from last month to 122M. Additionally, AAPL has adjusted iPhone 7, 7 Plus, and SE production downward in preparation for the next generation launch.

Indications of the iPhone 8 were spotted in supply chains for June.


Our most recent AAPL supply chain update indicates no changes to the 50M March quarter build forecast. The supply chain focus remains on the tremendous anticipation for a iPhone 8/X super cycle intertwined with some mid-year transition hurdles. Mix changes have been more aggressive than in recent memory, particularly in the June quarter. Interestingly, our present reads suggest a 300% increase in iPhone 8/X builds in the June quarter, now sitting at 9M. As a result, overall June quarter builds have increased from 45M to 48M, with the sharp increase in iPhone 8 offset somewhat by modest declines in legacy models. In the past, builds of upcoming releases began in earnest early in the September quarter, so this is a departure from AAPL’s normal build cadence. Table 1 below illustrates the updated build schedules with CY 2017 highlighted, based on our most recent supply chain reads. Note in Table 2 below that while March quarter builds remain down 38% sequentially, the magnitude of the 1H:17 aggregated cuts (-11%) is far less than the massive cuts in 1H:16 (-27%), when inventories stockpiled.

We've been hearing reports for some time that the 10th anniversary iPhone will be a major update. It will purportedly have a front glass cover and chassis, joined by a metal bezel and an edge-to-edge display that has no bezels on the top and bottom. Additionally, the front camera, Touch ID, speaker, and other sensors will apparently be embedded into the display. Another report claims that the device would be a clear piece of glass with a next-generation OLED screen. More recently, Apple is said to be equipping the phone with wireless charging and a 3D camera.

Take a look at the video below and let us know what you thing of the concept in the comments! Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates on what Apple has planned.

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