The iPhone 8 could be delayed by more than three weeks, Bank of America analysts say

But Sammy's not the only kid on the block looking to get rid of the separate fingerprint scanner: Apple has been rumored for a while to be implementing an in-screen Touch ID for the iPhone 8 as well, but is said to be facing similar issues as its Korean rival. But we've known of this for a while — what's new here is that, according to a recent report from Bank of America's Merrill Lynch division, these issues may ultimately have an impact on the device's release date, which could get pushed back by "three weeks or more."

The analysis is a result of a recent trip to Asia, where the Bank of America division met with Apple suppliers, who reported having problems implementing both the new Touch ID and 3D sensing tech. These issues are the reason behind the analysts' claim, which if true would place the iPhone 8's launch in mid-October.

But the delay may also result in lowered iPhone sales, too: the latest estimates from Merrill Lynch have reduced iPhone shipments for the fiscal year (which ends on September 30) by 11 million, bringing it down to a total of 208.1 million.

This is far from the first time we've heard of a possible delay for the iPhone 8, though: famed Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously speculated that the release could be delayed as far back as November, again due to problems associated with the iPhone 8's new tech (though other analysts claim the opposite). Some reports have also claimed that the in-screen Touch ID might not even make its way to the device at all, though from what we've gathered, not even Apple itself is sure which course it'll be taking yet.

source: CNBC via BGR