iPhone 8 Still on Course for September Launch Despite Contradictory Reports From Supply Chain

[Maura]

AppleInsider reports today on two conflicting reports from Apple’s iPhone supply chain about the forthcoming iPhone 8. The first report, from Win Semiconductors, is the one that gives credence to Apple following its traditional September release cycle for the iPhone 8. Sources familiar with Win say that the company is expecting a revenue rise in the second quarter of 2017, due to needing components for a September iPhone. So far, so good.

However, BlueFin Research Partners’ John Donovan and Steve Mullane said on Monday that their sources tell them that the iPhone 8 is actually coming to manufacturers sooner than expected. They say that builds will start in June for the phone, and will be 300% greater than last year’s iPhone 7.

If true, this early start to the full volume build could be significant, as usually it doesn’t get into gear until the beginning of September. Yet despite noting the significantly early start, BlueFin also says that a release earlier than September for the new iPhone is not expected.

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