Next-generation iPhone X estimated to be 10% cheaper to produce
According to a new report published on Wednesday by DigiTimes‘ research analyst Luke Lin, Apple’s next-generation iPhone X will be approximately 10% cheaper to produce than the current model, hinting that savings could be past down to the consumer when Apple releases the second-generation device later this year.
The analyst claims that lower than expected demand for the iPhone X meant Apple needed far less OLED panels from Samsung than it originally said it would, something that gave the Korean company more bargaining power with regards to panel quotes for the next generation iPhone-line.
Apple has supposedly reached an agreement with Samsung and secured “satisfactory terms” that will prevent display panel cost increases for their 2018 iPhone line-up. It’s now believed Apple will pay 10% less than the estimated $400 manufacturing cost for the 5.8-inch iPhone X.
Lin cited information from Apple’s upstream supply chain as indicating that the new device’s MBOM [manufacturing bill of materials] will be more than 10% lower than that for iPhone X. He added that the MBOM of the iPhone X was more than US$400 in 2017.
What to expect from iPhone in 2018
Reports have suggested Apple will introduce three new iPhone models during 2018, including a new 6.1-inch LCD low-cost iPhone, an update to their current iPhone X, and a new, larger ‘iPhone X Plus’. It’s believed Apple will unveil a new ‘Blush Gold’ iPhone that features a black OLED display and a light-finished back similar to the current iPhone 8.