Prepare to say goodbye to the iPhone SE and (probably) good riddance to the iPhone X, as analysts from the Bluefin Research group have stated that the low-end and high-end iPhone models are being discontinued by Apple.
In a note directed towards investors this week, the research firm stated that the Cupertino tech giant will be discontinuing the iPhone SE and iPhone X to address “pent-up demand” for upcoming iPhones. These phones are reportedly known as the iPhone 9, iPhone 11 and iPhone Plus. Barron’s, which cited “disappointing sales of the newer model iPhones this year, stated that BlueFin Research’s John Donovan and Steve Mullane reported that Apple is “ramping up production of the next models like never before.”
Despite angst surrounding the 2018 September releases, one common thread we continually uncover is the lack of concern for overall demand for 2018-2019.
The duo wrote, without any sources cited, that Apple is planning for “91 million units to be built, combined” of the three new models in the final two fiscal quarters of 2018, followed by 92 million in the first two quarters of 2019, with the iPhone X presumably being discontinued in Q3 2018, along with the iPhone SE.
The aforementioned iPhone 9 is reported to be an LCD-based phone, while the iPhone 11 is OLED-based, lining up with several rumors that have been floating around the tech blog ecosystem.
Apple expects combined shipments of 20, 60, 45 and 40 million over the next four quarters of the three new models.
The analysts are predicting that the newer models should temper frustrations and trepidation over the previous generation of iPhone:
The iPhone 11 Plus should satisfy those unhappy with the iPhone X due to size concerns, while the iPhone 9 device should satisfy more budget-conscious buyers and the aforementioned extension of the iPhone 8 model builds will round out a fairly extensive line-up. We continue to hear that upgrade activity over the past.
Seeing that the iPhone X and SE both haven’t sold well, it’s not a surprise that Apple is putting the pedal to the floor with the next generation. The Apple event usually takes place in early September, so expect to start hearing rumblings about the new iPhone models around late July-early August.
