The iPhone X May Be Delayed

Chris Holmes Staff Writer

Updated 28 September 2017

Anxious to get your hands on the new iPhone X when it's released on November 3rd? You may be left waiting.

Various media outlets have cited reports of supply chain delays that may push mass production of the device into 2018.

The technology behind the iPhone X's facial recognition--called Face ID--has been cited as the main culprit. The Wall Street Journal reported that two parts, named Romeo and Juliet, are the components causing the trouble; apparently Romeo takes longer to produce than Juliet, which has led to a "supply imbalance." Romeo and Juliet are the 3D sensors that map users' faces.

This is just the latest rumor of a iPhone X production slowdown. It was reported previously that the device's OLED screens were responsible for delays.

All of this may mean that 10-12 million iPhone Xs are made by the end of the year, far short of demand. The iPhone X is expected to sell out within an hour or two when it goes up for pre-sale on October 27.

The iPhone 8 release was met with less fervor and shorter lines than usual earlier this month, indicating that many are waiting for the more dramatically redesigned X. When faced with a months-long wait for the device, though, a portion of these consumers may end up buying the iPhone 8 anyway, particularly around the holidays.

The iPhone 8 Plus actually contains many of the same new features found in the iPhone X; you can check out our comparison here.

Rest assured that WhistleOut will be on top of carrier pricing when the iPhone X is released; here's hoping you can get your hands on one.

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Chris Holmes

Staff Writer

Chris Holmes is a Contributing Writer for WhistleOut, where he covers the cell phone and internet industries. His work has been cited in publications like The Verge, The New York Times, and WIRED.

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