The iPhone 8 is supposed to be a massive step forward in design and honor the device’s 10th anniversary, but it’s looking like Apple’s new phone may be a flop.
A new survey from investment firm Piper Jaffray shows iPhone users aren’t any more excited for this release than they were for the iPhone 7.
Only 16 percent of those surveyed said they are planning to upgrade to the new device.
A new survey from Piper Jaffray shows iPhone users aren’t any more excited for this release than they were for the iPhone 7. Only 16 percent of those surveyed said they are planning to upgrade to the new device. Pictured: the iPhone 8, according to Apple leaker Benjamin Geskin
‘We believe the survey suggests that awareness of potential for this year’s iPhone to be a more robust upgrade is relatively low,’ the investment bank’s analysts wrote in a research note for clients on Tuesday.
He said that in a survey of more than 400 US iPhone users, only 16 percent expect to upgrade to a new iPhone this Fall, compared to 15 percent last year.
Additionally, only 24 percent said they will ‘maybe’ upgrade, versus 29 percent last year.
‘We also found that the percent of iPhone users on a version two years or older (at time of upgrade) is almost identical (66 percent versus 67 percent) compared to our 2016 survey.’
Overall, it seems users aren’t upgrading as quickly as Apple is launching new phones.
While the number for those who say they’ll upgrade is one percent higher than it was last year, that still isn’t good news for Apple.
This is Apple’s first major redesign since the iPhone 6 in 2014.
While the iPhone 7 featured incremental changes, the new device is completely overhauled in its design and technology – It’s expected to boast features including facial recognition, a dual-lens 3D camera, augmented reality capabilities, facial recognition, and a full edge-to-edge OLED display.
In a note to investors, Olson said the the hype around the new launch may be underwhelming because consumers aren’t aware ‘of potential for a more robust feature set with this year’s iPhone.’
But despite this, Piper Jaffray is still expecting bigger sales growth with the iPhone 8 launch than other devices other than the iPhone 6.
They’re predicting 12 percent year-on-year sales growth (it was a record 36 percent for the iPhone 6).
Sales could come from non-iPhone users, who typically make up 65 percent of the firm’s annual phone sales.
‘Our model assumes Apple sells ~242M iPhones in the 12 months following iPhone X launch,’ the investment bank’s analysts said, referring to the phone by one of its rumored names. Pictured: a mock up of the case posted by Senior Editor of The iPhone Insider Aaron Mason
‘Specifically, our analysis suggests that at the time of iPhone X launch there will be an installed base of ~330M users on an iPhone that’s at least 2 years old (see details in table below),’ he said, referring to the device by one if its rumored names
‘We believe a sizable portion of these users, in addition to users with newer devices, will look to upgrade due to the age of their device and the more significant changes to the device.’
‘Our model assumes Apple sells ~242M iPhones in the 12 months following iPhone X launch.’
He recommends the firm spend time addressing why users need the new features during the launch event, which will take place next week on September 12 at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple’s new Cupertino, California campus.
In May, Tim Cook said he believes leaks sway consumers’ buying habits and can deter some from upgrading, or saying they will ahead of the actual launch.
‘In general, we’re seeing what we believe to be a pause in purchases on iPhone, which we believe are due to the earlier and much more frequent reports about future iPhones,’ he told analysts, referring to iPhone 7 sales.
‘And so that part is clearly going on, and it could be what’s behind the data.’
‘I don’t know, but we are seeing that in full transparency.’
One reason for the low interest could be the price – Apple’s new handset will be the most expensive the firm has ever made.
The idea that the new device will cost upwards of $1,000 has been a widely-reported rumor that could be deterring some users from feeling they need to make the switch.
Yesterday, prolific Apple leaker Benjamin Geskin shared what he claims are the final iPhone 8 prices on Twitter, continuing rumors that some versions of the new phone will cost over $1,000.
He claims the 64GB version will cost $999, the 246GB version will be $1,099, and the 512GB version will be $1,199.
Prolific Apple leaker Benjamin Geskin shared iPhone 8 prices on Twitter, continuing rumors that some versions of the new phone will cost over $1,000. He claims the 64GB version will cost $999, the 246GB version will be $1,099, and the 512GB version will be $1,199
According to a direct conversion, this would price the new devices at £767, £843, and £920 respectively in the UK, but the British version has typically cost more than the those sold in the US, so these may not be accurate.
Shortly after leaking the prices, Geskin shared images of parts that allegedly reveal the colors the devices will come in.
The photos – which he captioned ‘blush gold, silver, black’ – depict iPhone SIM card trays in gold and silver supposedly designed for the iPhone 8.
Geskin has previously reported ‘blush gold’ would be a color option.
Shortly after leaking the prices, Geskin shared images of parts that allegedly reveal the colors the devices will come in
The photos – which he captioned ‘blush gold, silver, black’ – depict iPhone SIM card trays in gold and silver supposedly designed for the iPhone 8. Geskin has previously reported ‘blush gold’ would be a color option
This echos previous rumors of the three colors shared earlier in August by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is known as the most accurate Apple analyst.
Over the last few days, Geskin has also posted several photos he claims show the new device on Instagram and Twitter.
Rumors circulating yesterday suggest Apple’s next flagship iPhone will be called the iPhone X.
It was said the company is embracing Roman numerals to mark its 10th anniversary milestone.
Geskin posted what he claims is the new iPhone 8 (left) next to an older version of the device that still has the home button (right)
The source suggests it will be launched alongside two phones, which will be called the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus – and, this could mean Apple is skipping an ‘s’ generation for the first time since it was introduced.
The Dutch technology site iCulture has cited a ‘reliable source’ as giving them the information about the anniversary handset.
‘This source has previously informed us correctly about the existence of the 10.5-inch iPad Pro and is working with a worldwide operating telecom company,’ explained the site.
Senior Editor of The iPhone Insider Aaron Mason released leaked images of the new release yesterday and called it the ‘Apple iPhone X Edition’.
However, previous sources have said the iPhone X will be called the iPhone Edition.
9to5Mac said on Friday that case manufacturers it spoke to at the IFA trade show in Germany have been advised that the top of the range handset will instead be known as the iPhone Edition.
The firm sent invites to key media for the event on 1 September, which is also expected to see the launch of an iPhone 7s and 7s Plus, a new version of the Apple Watch and a new 4K Apple TV.
Senior Editor of The iPhone Insider has released leaked mock-ups of the new release and called it the ‘Apple iPhone X Edition’
They say ‘Let’s meet at our place’.
It is believed the new iPhone X along with the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus will go on sale on September 22nd.
The latest claims from the Wall Street Journal are that ‘The company is expected to unveil three iPhones, according to other people familiar with its plans.’
The launch will be the first event at the Steve Jobs theater at Apple Park, the official name for the firm’s giant ‘Spaceship’ HQ.
Aaron Mason posted pictures of the iPhone X on his Twitter. Last week it was revealed the company is unveiling the next iPhone at a special event at its campus in California
The firm sent invites to key media for the event on 1 September, which is also expected to see the launch of an iPhone 7s and 7s Plus, a new version of the Apple Watch and a new 4K Apple TV. Pictured is a leaked image of the iPhone X handset
The firm sent invites to key media for the event, which is also expected to see the launch of three phones, a new version of the Apple Watch and a new 4K Apple TV
The Steve Jobs Theater is situated on top of a hill — one of the highest points within Apple Park — overlooking meadows and the main building. Opening on September 12th, the entrance to the 1,000-seat auditorium is a 20-foot-tall glass cylinder, 165 feet in diameter, supporting a metallic carbon-fibre roof
This graphic shows some of the new features rumoured for Apple’s iPhone 8/ iPhone X, which is due for release in mid-September
Even though the theater will be complete, many of the surround areas of ‘the ring’ remain under final construction it is believed.
It comes as leaked images appear to show parts taken from the upcoming iPhone 8/ iPhone X in unprecedented detail.
The images, posted to Twitter by leaker Benjamin Geskin on 20 August, claim to show the iPhone X’s OLED display cover and a variety of cables, including for the Lightning port.
One of the photos, originally found on Chinese social media site Weibo, shows the iPhone Xs’ display compared to that of the iPhone 7.
This confirms rumours about the two handsets’ similar overall size.
Leaked images from 20 August appear to show parts taken from the upcoming iPhone 8/ iPhone X in unprecedented detail
One of the photos, originally found on Chinese social media site Weibo, appears to show the iPhone 8/ iPhone X’s display (left) compared to that of the iPhone 7 (right)
Last week, new leaks suggested the smartphone’s classic home button will be replaced with gesture controls.
Users may simply swipe their hands above the device for tasks such as going to the main app grid and opening multitasking.
Apple also plans to introduce a stainless steel band around the phone which the glass curves into, much like the casing used for the iPhone 4 and 4S.
In place of a home button on the iPhone 8/ iPhone X, a thin, software bar will stretch across the bottom of the screen.
Apple’s iPhone 8/iPhone X will see the replacement of the smartphone’s classic home button with gesture controls, new leaks suggest. Pictured is a concept drawing
This bar can be dragged to the top of the screen to open the iPhone, while users can initiate multitasking using a similar gesture while an app is open.
The iPhone 8/ iPhone X will have an OLED screen that is slightly larger than that of the iPhone 7 Plus (5.5′), but the device itself will be similar to the iPhone 7, people familiar with the phone told Bloomberg.
The firm is not moving to curved screens like the latest Samsung models, instead favoring a flat screen like current and past iPhones, the report says.
Images show that the iPhone 8/ iPhone X’s dock has been redesigned to match the interface of the one on the iPad version of iOS 11 (pictured)
Symmetrical, slim bezels will cover the entirety of the device’s front, cutting off the areas where the home button and ear piece sit on current iPhone models.
The front-facing camera, earpiece and facial-recognition sensor are instead housed in a small notch at the top of the screen, the image show.
Images of recent test devices reveal that the left side of the notch displays the time while the right side shows battery life, WiFi and mobile network connectivity.
Apple has opted to remove the square corners seen on current iPhones in favour of rounded ones, possibly as an homage to the shape of the very first iPhone model, which came out a decade ago in November.
The iPhone 8/ iPhone X’s power button will be longer to make it easier to press while holding the phone in one hand, the images and people suggest.
A taller screen means that the phone will fit six vertical rows of apps, showing 24 icons on each page excluding the dock, a grey bar at the bottom of the screen containing frequently used apps.
The images show that the dock has been redesigned to match the interface of the one on the iPad version of iOS 11.
Alongside the new high-end device, Apple plans to release two new additional iPhone models.
These will use faster processors but will include the same screens as the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
They will debut alongside an update Apple TV set-top box and Apple Watch models.