Analyst says price of 5.8-inch OLED Apple iPhone expected to launch in 2018 could be 'much lower' than the iPhone X

tech2 News StaffMar 22, 2018 13:03:19 IST

Since early this year there have been several rumours about the new lineup of Apple iPhones launching in 2018. KGI Analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo has said that Apple could launch up to three new iPhone models this year. He has also pointed out that the iPhone X has fared poorly in sales most likely due to its high price tag.

However, it looks like Apple may launch a 5.8-inch OLED display iPhone at a cost reportedly "much lower" than the iPhone X.

The comparative sizes of the three new Apple smartphones expected in 2018.

As per a Digitimes analyst, Luke Lin's report, this new device's manufacturing bill of materials (MBOM) will be 10 percent lower than the iPhone X and hence the reduction in price. This could mean that out of the three iPhone's being launched, this one might be the affordable one. The report mentions that the MBOM of iPhone X in 2017 was nearly $400.

Apple will be looking to launch two OLED panel iPhones of screen sizes 5.8-inch and 6.3-inch along with a 6.1-inch LCD panel iPhone. The initial plan for Apple was to use LCD panels in the 5.8-inch iPhone as well but the reduction in MBOM has allowed Apple to use OLED panels, said the report.

Poor iPhone X demand means that Apple's OLED manufacturer Samsung is left with an excess capacity of OLED panels which, as per reports, gives the South Korean giant the upper hand for negotiating prices for the new iPhone OLED panels.

However, it seems both the companies have come to agree on satisfactory terms which will prevent high-cost OLED panels.