KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who had earlier predicted the iPhone line-up model for 2018 says tech giant Apple will discontinue sales of the first-generation iPhone X when the second-generation model launches later this year, rather than have the device around at a lower rate than the current $999.
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Kuo believes that Apple keeping the current iPhone X in its smartphone lineup at a lower rate such as $899 would likely cannibalize sales of the mid-range 6.1-inch iPhone with Face ID and an LCD display that he expects to launch in the second half of 2018 for between $650 and $750 in the United States.
Kuo, however, in a research note obtained by MacRumors:
“iPhone X would hurt product brand value & lineup of 2H18 new models if it continues to sell at a lower price after 2H18 new models launch: Lowering iPhone X’s price after the 2H18 new models launch would be a negative to product brand value given 3D sensing and OLED display are features of the new high-price model. Additionally, to sell iPhone X at a lower price may have a negative impact on shipments of the new 6.1″ LCD iPhone in 2H18. Thus, we estimate iPhone X will reach end-of-life (EOL) around the middle of 2018.”
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If his notes are accurate, then Apple’s iPhone line-up could look like;
- iPhone SE: $349
- iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: $449 and $569
- iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus: $549 and $66.1-inch
- iPhone with Face ID: $649 or $749
- 5.8-inch second-generation iPhone X: $999
- 6.5-inch second-generation iPhone X Plus: $1,099
Also read: LG to supply OLED display for next-generation iPhone
Final words
If reports about the current iPhone X being end-of-life (EOL) around mid-2018 is accurate, it would mark the first time Apple didn’t make a previous year’ iPhone available at a lower price point once next-gen models are released.
Source: KGI – Gen 1 iPhone will discontinue this year when Gen 2 launches
