Apple’s latest iPhone models, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, have received a lukewarm reception from US consumers, according to early indicators from the country’s top mobile carriers. But all eyes are now turning to the upcoming iPhone X, which could help reverse the trend.
Carriers Point to Lower Than Expected iPhone 8 Demand
The big four US carriers—Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint—have all hinted at disappointing sales figures for the iPhone 8 models since their launch on September 22. T-Mobile attributed its slower customer growth to the “split and shift” in Apple’s release schedule, while Verizon reported fewer upgrades, citing the same reason.
“Sales of the latest iPhones seem moderately weaker,” said Will Power, an analyst at Robert W. Baird. However, he emphasized that it’s too early to label the new models as flops.
The iPhone 8 Struggles with Familiar Design
One of the biggest challenges facing the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus is their familiar design. Apart from a new glass back and wireless charging, the phones look nearly identical to models from the previous three years. CNET editor Scott Stein dubbed it the “status quo upgrade.”
iPhone X Builds Excitement Ahead of Launch
The muted launch of the iPhone 8 may be due to consumers holding out for the iPhone X. Apple’s true flagship this year, the iPhone X offers a radically redesigned look, edge-to-edge OLED display, and the much-anticipated Face ID facial recognition system.
Preorders for the iPhone X begin on Friday, with the device arriving in stores on November 3. Industry analysts like Morgan Stanley’s Simon Flannery believe we’re in “the calm before the (iPhone) SuperStorm.”
What This Means for Apple
While the US is the second-largest market for iPhones, it’s unclear if these trends reflect a global pattern or just a regional anomaly. Apple has remained tight-lipped ahead of its Q4 earnings report scheduled for November 2.
For now, sluggish iPhone 8 sales are casting a shadow over Apple’s fall launch season—but the iPhone X might still deliver the spark the tech giant needs to reignite consumer excitement. Need help deciding? Check our guide on iPhone 8 vs iPhone X: Which Should You Buy?.
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