Apple is expected to launch its iPhone 8 on Sept. 12. The device will come equipped with a curved OLED screen and other technological advancements. But production glitches during the summer months, could result in shipping delays once the newest smartphone is launched.
That’s according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the situation as saying production of the iPhone 8 faced a lot of glitches early on in manufacturing and that could result in supply shortfalls and shipping delays once customers can start ordering the phone later in September. According to the Wall Street Journal if the supply shortfalls continue beyond just the initial period when there are often delays, it could hurt Wall Street’s projections for shipments of the device heading into the all-important holiday selling season.
The glitches in production that occurred in the summer set the manufacturing timeline back around a month, the Wall Street Journal reported, noting that Apple’s contractor for the iPhone, Foxconn Technology Group, has been increasing production to meet the expected demand. Employees who can bring in new workers to the Zhengzhou, China, plant are also getting bonuses, noted the report. The production problems were due to Apple’s decision to use an OLED screen in the iPhone 8, which is expected to have a base price of around $1,000. In addition to having problem with the OLED displays, Apple had problems with the fingerprint scanner, which as the deadlines approached, the company decided to do away with it altogether. The phone is expected to unlock via a password or facial recognition.
If Apple has a problem getting the phones to consumers it won’t be the first time. When it rolled out the iPhone 6 in 2014, which had a complete design overhaul, Foxconn, which was then known as Hai Precision Industry, dealt with low production because of manufacturing issues.
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