Apple Is Reportedly Discontinuing iPhone X and iPhone SE

Iphone X Iphone Se Credit: Nick Ackerman
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A pair of analysts are predicting that Apple will discontinue the iPhone X and iPhone SE in favor of newer modes launching in the fall.

BlueFin Research Partners analysts John Donovan and Steve Mullane are forecasting tremendous “pent-up demand” for this year’s lineup of iPhones, the duo wrote in a research note published by Barron’s on Monday.

According to Donovan and Mullane, that’s largely due to the lack of “upgrade activity” over the past few years.

Because of that, the duo of analysts predicts that Apple is planning to build out 91 million iPhone units this year in the third and fourth quarter of the year. That number is a combined total for this year’s three flagships (which the analysts call the iPhone 9, iPhone 11, and iPhone 11 Plus).

As far as sales, the analysts expect shipments of 20 million in Q3 2018, 60 million in Q4 2018, 45 million in Q1 2019, and 40 million in Q2 2019.

But why will these new models attract upgraders and buyers where previous models didn’t?

The analysts theorize that the 6.5-inch OLED iPhone should satisfy those unhappy with their iPhone X due to size concerns. While the lower-cost LCD iPhone “should satisfy more budget-conscious buyers.”

Interestingly, the analysts expect the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus to stick around the product lineup past the fall announcement event. They’ll likely occupy the lower tiers of the Apple device ecosystem.

On the other hand, Donovan and Mullane forecast that Apple will discontinue the iPhone X, as well as the iPhone SE, a rumor that is corroborated in the videos below.

Will the iPhone X and SE Be Discontinued?

It’s not the first time we’ve seen rumors of the iPhone X being discontinued or plans for the iPhone SE to be scrapped, but still it’s important to take these rumors with a grain of salt. Note that the BlueFin analysts did not cite any sources for their predictions, and historically the closer to the devices’ release in September, the more accurate these predictions are; but we’re still bit far off from then.

And while an iPhone SE 2 may not be coming this year, the handset and 4-inch form factor is still  popular enough for Apple to keep it around for a bit longer.

Similarly, saying the iPhone X will be “discontinued” is misleading. Apple won’t continue selling the first-generation iPhone X at a lower price point. Instead, it’s likely Apple will completely replace the original iPhone X with a new, second-generation model later this year.

Essentially, Apple is more likely to continue to sell the iPhone SE (with upgraded internals) beginning in the fall of 2018, and the iPhone X will simply be replaced with a more advanced, yet identical, version during that same timeframe.

 

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]

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