Apple iPhone X suppliers report weak November shipments, and expect this month to be worse

by Alan Friedman / Dec 08, 2017, 1:42 PM

Suppliers of components for the iPhone X are expecting a down December

November was apparently a rough month for companies that supply Apple with components for the iPhone X. On a sequential basis (month over month), camera lens manufacturer Largan Precision saw its revenue rise only 0.05%. The company expects to see revenues decline in December. This is a pattern that other iPhone X suppliers are running into. Chassis and casing supplier Catcher saw its November revenue decline 10.4%. The company that provides touch panels, General Interface Solutions, struggled through a month-over-month 15.53% revenue drop in November.

The main problem is that Apple's component orders for last month were 30% lower than previously predicted by Apple. And these companies now fear that Cupertino will cut the number of iPhone X models that it plans on shipping during the first quarter of 2018. Most analysts expect Apple to ship iPhone X units in January and February 2018 at the same rate as it delivered the tenth anniversary model in November. A decline is expected for March. Shipments of the phone are expected to drop overall during the first quarter of 2018 thanks to seasonality, and a fewer number of working days that are a result of the Lunar New Year holidays.

We could see demand for the iPhone X dry up a bit with the recent rumors about a 6.5-inch phablet version of the iPhone said to launch next year. In addition, there might be some consumers waiting for the rumored 2018 iPhone that will be equipped with a 6.1-inch LCD edge-to-edge screen. This model will supposedly be priced in a lower $650 to $900 range, feature a metal frame and a single camera in back in order to keep costs down. Even though this model will reportedly be the lowest priced version of the three 2018 iPhone handsets, it is still expected to come with Face ID and the TrueDepth Camera.

source: Digitimes

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64 Comments

1. Icent55

Posts: 81; Member since: Nov 02, 2017

PA is it not too early to be waiting for a new iphone ? Please why can't u accept the fact thst demand was not as expected and the phone is losing momentum...iphone x is to expensive for what it offers, face it... and demand drop will only get worst

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 1:53 PM 39

9. NarutoKage14

Posts: 1354; Member since: Aug 31, 2016

Gotta admit that the excuse that people are waiting for next year's iPhone only about a month after the newest one launched is sad.

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 2:17 PM 23

20. daniyal_05

Posts: 93; Member since: Nov 15, 2017

I thinkit is because not many people bought iphoneX Clearly the demand was overhyped

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 3:27 PM 10

40. Khyron

Posts: 402; Member since: Sep 28, 2015

You mean an ibubble!

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 6:14 PM 5

41. sgodsell

Posts: 7605; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

That is Apple for you. The hype and propaganda company. What was Apple expecting, especially when they forced the users who purchased an iPhone X to use FaceID, and that is your only option. They dropped the finger print scanner completely (TouchID). Even other smartphone OEMs will add other hardware options to their existing options or features. Like keep the finger print scanner, even if it means placing it on the back of the smartphone. Then add FaceID as well. More options means more users. But clearly Apple doesn't think this way. I bet you if Apple did a poll and asked their existing and new customers looking to buy an iPhone X. I bet you over 90% of them would say that they would love to have TouchID as well as FaceID. The thing is the physical TouchID most likely would only cost Apple around $20 or less, and that would include the patent fees as well. Apple forcing it's users to use one new option is one thing, but you also have to use new gesture controls as well. It would be in Apples best interest to add back TouchID as well as FaceID. Similar to Samsung with their S8's or Note 8, or other smartphones.

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 9:29 PM 4

39. worldpeace

Posts: 3135; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

Same thing happen when Apple launch iPhone7 and iPhone7s, rumor about new design for next iteration come up, and render released shorly after that. I think it's just to keep investors and stock holders from running away :v

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 6:00 PM 1

27. Phonehex

Posts: 768; Member since: Feb 16, 2016

Actually , a lot of people around me who bought the phones aren't too happy with it. Most of the time i keep hearing the lack of the home button and lack of touch id to the most annoying thing. My wife who was using the 7 Plus , got the X and now is using the iPhone 8 and not the 8 plus because of the weight being an issue for her for the 8 Plus. I tried using the X , i personally liked it but switched back to my Note 8 after about a week or so. There is to much missing in iOS for my liking. Most people around me use the iPhone , but the X is just an experiment.. which frankly has worked so far looking at the numbers. Waiting for the iPhone Xs or the X plus next year. Hopefully will fix the touch id part and please get rid of that obnoxious "NOTCH". It annoys me a lot.

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 3:55 PM 2

2. BullDozer

Posts: 160; Member since: Dec 18, 2015

So much about that huge demand and supercycle. Iphone 8 was a huge flop and iphone X is not making much better.

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 1:55 PM 8

3. fyahking

Posts: 1146; Member since: Jan 28, 2015

Thought it was a huge demand according to iPhone arena , Kiko,and Piyath?lol

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 2:00 PM 25

5. Wickedsamaritan

Posts: 88; Member since: Aug 11, 2017

I was just about to call him out, kiko007 remember when I said you weren't James bond 007?.. are you Dead and Gone ?

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 2:11 PM 9

8. kiko007

Posts: 7521; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

Sigh, you people never cease to amaze me with your jubilation at such articles. Apple LITERALLY has this exact issue arise every year. PA reports on it, you all get ecstatic, then quarterly reports roll around. Needless to say, all of that bravado quickly retreats in favor of baseless speculation, like clockwork.

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 2:16 PM 5

12. Panzer

Posts: 283; Member since: May 13, 2016

Here is problem with your statement. The 6S was for sale and in full production for three and half months before it's production was cut. The X has been on sale for a month and production was cut. And the 6S did not sell in the wild numbers like the 6. Is Apple doomed, no but it obviously was not a huge hit like people have been saying. https://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/05/apple-cutting-iphone-6s-production/

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 2:34 PM 9

13. kiko007

Posts: 7521; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

Like I said, we'll see once quarterly reports roll out.

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 2:46 PM 4

15. Panzer

Posts: 283; Member since: May 13, 2016

We shall and if it some wild high number comes out then we can confirm Apple was lying about the shortage. Either way Apple will look stupid.

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 2:55 PM 4

19. TheOracle1

Posts: 2340; Member since: May 04, 2015

I don't know what the numbers truly signify, but the fact is that there are more and more cheaper and excellent phones available these days that are eating into iPhone sales. US sales will always remain strong but in Europe it's becoming a battle especially with Huawei joining the top two there. Apple are becoming also rans in China, India and most of Asia, so where else are the sales going to come from at those extortionate prices?

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 3:09 PM 8

22. kiko007

Posts: 7521; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

You're arguing two distinctly different things.

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 3:36 PM 3

42. TheOracle1

Posts: 2340; Member since: May 04, 2015

What two different things? Lower sales mean lower component orders. Those lower sales are as a result of more competition in markets outside the US. Vivo/Oppo, Huawei and Xiaomi have become legitimate rivals to Apple and Samsung and dominate China and India whilst making major gains in Europe.

posted on Dec 09, 2017, 1:28 AM 1

25. tedkord

Posts: 17505; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

Actually, we won't, since Apple only reports aggregate sales of all iPhones, and doesn't break them down. But, since they didn't announce any opening weekend numbers (unless I missed them, which is very possible), then we can assume it's not breaking any records.

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 3:49 PM 5

51. sgodsell

Posts: 7605; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

Yeah the quarterly reports from Apple never break out the models. The other thing to remember is Apple is still manufacturer and selling iPhone 6 models with 32 GB of storage instead of the original 16 GB of storage. Apple is on borrowed time, especially when they are the only OEM right now that is selling a 2014 iPhone as new in 2017. They are still selling all their iPhone 6 variants (6,6s,7,8) in 2017/2018. Not to mention all the deals even for their latest iPhone 8. Like buy an iPhone 8 and get a $250 gift card. Buy an iPhone 7 get another iPhone 7 free. Buy an iPhone 6 get a free kid. I have never seen so many BOGO deals in my life for iPhones. Just a couple a years ago, their loyal users like kiko007, piyath, cnour and many others would see a BOGO deal for any Android smartphone they would always say "see those Android smartphones are not selling so they are giving them away any way they can". Yet here we are at the end of 2017, and they are giving and packing deals to sell as many iPhones as they can, including give away free iPhones with the purchase of another iPhone, or give you gift cards with really large amounts. If those new iPhone 8's are selling so we'll, then there is no need to give a $250 gift card on a two month old smartphone.

posted on Dec 09, 2017, 9:31 AM 1

29. maherk

Posts: 7049; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Apple doesn't breakdown which iPhone sold the most, they just give the total number of all the iPhones sold by Apple atm, which includes 2 year old iPhones. It's like Samsung coming out and saying they sold 80 something million phones, and there fanboys went around bragging and claiming Samsung sold 80 something million Note 8.

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 4:31 PM 4

36. kiko007

Posts: 7521; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

Except we know which Samsung phones make up that quarterly 80 mill by evaluating their ASP. The same can be done for Apple, but to a far lesser degree seeing as how all their models are priced relatively close to one another. The point was that the natural reaction to this article SHOULD be one of little importance, considering who we're talking about.

posted on Dec 08, 2017, 5:32 PM 0

52. sgodsell

Posts: 7605; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

You see constant sales on right now for iPhones all the way back to the original iPhone 6. Remember Apple made a newer version of the iPhone 6 with 32 GB of storage in 2017. Bestbuy has some BOGO deals on right now. Buy an iPhone 6, 6s, or 7 and get a free iPhone 6, 6s, or 7. So clearly buying just one iPhone, is clearly buying two, yet you only paid for one iPhone. I don't see a lot of deals like that for Android smartphones. Plus I don't see Samsung or others trying to sell or push or remanufacture an older smartphone and pawn it off as new again. Like Apple did with their iPhone 6 in 2017. Just in case that isn't computing with your brain kiko007, that is a 4 year old iPhone model recycled again in 2017.

posted on Dec 09, 2017, 9:39 AM 1

54. DnB925Art

Posts: 1168; Member since: May 23, 2013

Don't forget the SE, still on sale and can be had as low as $99 for the 32GB model (through Cricket when opening a new line).

posted on Dec 09, 2017, 11:18 AM 0

57. deleon629 unregistered

Those iPhone deals are ONLY gaining momentum now because Samsung was busy doing these same deals with their major domestic carriers AND on their websites. They'd also thrown in a great deal of trade-in credit options, and even extras like wireless chargers, 360 cameras, and many other items. T-Mobile took things to the net level and made the Note 8 the exact same price as the S8+, so it's safe to say that people aren't making a big deal about what Samsung's doing, because they most likely already have a Samsung phone...or two...and like them..lol

posted on Dec 09, 2017, 2:18 PM 0

61. cmdacos

Posts: 4371; Member since: Nov 01, 2016

In Canada you can get anywhere from an ip6 to an iPhone eks for 0 down through the carriers. The eks seems very early to already be at 0 down for a month old iPhone.

posted on Dec 09, 2017, 8:14 PM 0

4. Diego!

Posts: 880; Member since: Jun 15, 2009

IPhone X and IPhone 8 and IPhone 8 Plus are this year's "Justice League" for Apple. The price is too high. They need to lower them a bit. If not they won't sell iPhones like they used to.