Analyst predicts Apple ceasing production of iPhone X in mid-2018

The iPhone X might be taken off the retail shelves sooner than we've expected. 

According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, he believes the iPhone X will go to end-of-life (EOL) around mid-2018 and total life cycle shipments are estimated to be around 62 million units. The forecasted numbers are lower than his initial estimates of 80 million units. 

Kuo attributes the lower shipment numbers and earlier-than-expected EOL of the iPhone X to the weaker demand in China. He believes Chinese consumers now have a longer replacement cycles; in Q4 2017, consumers are willing to wait on average 10 months longer before replacing their devices.

In addition, Chinese consumers prefer bigger displays on their phones. Since the iPhone X offers less usable screen estate than the iPhone 8 Plus and costs more, Chinese consumers were reluctant to upgrade to the iPhone X. The notch on the iPhone X also caused some incompatibility issues with many popular Chinese apps. 

Looking ahead, Kuo reiterates that the release of three iPhone models - a 6.1-inch LCD model, a 5.8-inch OLED model, and a bigger OLED model - will boost Apple's position in the Chinese market. iPhone shipments should pick up this year with an increase of 5 to 10%. 

The prediction of the iPhone X reaching EOL seems odd as Apple typically retains the flagship models for a while at reduced prices; it is still selling the iPhone 6s, which was launched in September 2015, at lower price points today. 

Source: MacRumors