We’ve got a little more or less than two months before the 2018 iPhone lineup is official. Apple’s smartphones for the year are already creating a hype as usual, but this time for different reasons. Last year, the environment was completely different. The company was feeling the heat from customers and analysts alike for an upgrade to the iPhone.
Rumors of an iPhone X with an edge to edge OLED display and secure 3D facial recognition was ripe and it bore fruit. The iPhone X marked for a new look on the lineup and Apple will now follow this in 2018. Therefore, rumors for the 2018 iPhone 9, iPhone X(s) and iPhone X(s) Plus are of a different nature, often choosing to focus on the specifics. Today, we’ve got another one of these. take a look below for more details.
Related Apple Planning Massive Product Refresh; New MacBook, Mac mini, MacBook Pro, 11-Inch iPad Pro More Coming Your Way
Fresh Supply Chain Reports Believe That Apple Has Strengthened Its Relationship With eSIM Supplier STMicroelectronics For The 2018 iPhone 9, iPhone X(s) And iPhone X(s) Plus
Some of the rumors related to the 2018 iPhone lineup claim that Apple will launch dual-SIM variants of the three iPhones for Chinese markets. Such a move will definitely please a lot of users but is unlikely to make to the US, even if Apple really does divide the iPhone lineup along this line. Not only will the move to introduce region-specific SIM capability to create manufacturing problems, it is also unlikely to sit well with US carriers in the event Apple does introduce such a device(s).
However, Apple is an unlikely company to consider its partners when considering corporate independence. The company blatantly tested the Apple SIM with the iPad a while back and the Apple watch also features the ability to switch networks; although user subscriptions for networks are required for the feature to work.
Now, we’ve got a fresh report from Craig-Hallum’s Anthony Stross, who believes that Apple is deepening its relationship with the Apple Watch’s eSIM supplier STMicroelectronics. According to him, STM ”may have won” Apple’s business for an eSIM in the upcoming 2018 iPhone 9, iPhone X(s) and iPhone X(s) Plus.
Related Former Apple Engineer Xiaolang Zhang Caught Fleeing Country After Stealing Secrets
Apple’s eSIM Deal For The 2018 iPhone 9, iPhone X(s) And iPhone X(s) Plus Will Increase STMicroelectronics’ Total Presence On The iPhone To $7/unit
To recap, Apple is expected to launch three iPhones this year. These are (tentatively dubbed), the iPhone 9, iPhone X(s) and iPhone X(s) Plus. Of the trio, the iPhone 9 will feature a 6.1″ LCD display and the iPhone X(s) Plus will be Apple largest iPhone to date, with a 6.5″ OLED screen. Apple’s looked at ways to diverge from its dependence on carriers for years and if Stross’ report is correct, then 2018 will be the year for the company.
An eSIM will allow users to switch carriers at will by signing up with different networks. This approach, when coupled with Apple’s own payment plans for the iPhone will return purchasing power to the consumer, as he/she will no longer be forced to stick with years-long package plans. This move will definitely have carriers feeling the heat too.
Apple’s 2018 iPhone 9, iPhone X(s) and iPhone X(s) Plus will feature Face ID across the board. The iPhone 9 is the focus of the rumor mill’s attention as Apple is expected to launch the device with a price tag between $699-$799 through aggressive cost-cutting. Whether the smartphone manages to adequately convince customers to upgrade from older iPhones, is a question only time can answer. Thoughts? Let us know what you think in the comments section below and stay tuned. We’ll keep you updated on the latest.
Source: Barrons
