Apple fans will turn to other smartphone makers if the iPhone 8’s shipping delay is too lengthy. That’s according to one Bernstein analyst, who believes the device needs to be readily available for the holiday season.
iPhone fans have been waiting years for next week’s refresh. Since the introduction of iPhone 6, the device has become somewhat boring, with only incremental changes each year. But for the handset’s tenth anniversary, Apple is planning something special.
iPhone 8 is expected to deliver an edge-to-edge OLED display in an all-new glass design. It will bring Apple’s latest processor, fancy new cameras, and features like advanced facial recognition and wireless charging. It will make the iPhone incredibly exciting again.
But is that enough to keep you hanging on if there’s a lengthy wait for shipping? Not according to Bernstein analyst Tony Sacconaghi, who believes Apple fans will look to other smartphone makers and sales will drop if the device isn’t easy to get hold of by the holidays.
“If the phone is materially constrained once we hit the holiday season, post-October 15, then it’s worrisome,” Sacconaghi told CNBC during Fast Money. “If [it’s] delayed and consumers feel they won’t get it until 2018, you run the risk that people will look to other devices.”
Sacconaghi added that phones are hot sellers during the holiday season, when people have the free time to shop for new devices and wireless plans. If Apple cannot serve them, they’ll go elsewhere, Sacconaghi warns.
We have to disagree. iPhone 8 will be worth waiting for, and most users would rather hold onto their existing device for another month or two than switch to a different device with a completely different operating system and spend even longer learning how to use it.
What’s more, we’re used to waiting for Apple products after launch. If you don’t get your order in within minutes when pre-orders go live, it’s typical that you’ll be waiting six weeks or more for delivery. Customers will be expecting a similar scenario for iPhone 8.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
9 responses to “iPhone 8 delays may cause Apple fans to jump ship”
No, Apple users won’t be switching en masse to Android phones, period. Analyst should be fired.
That analyst is stupid, this isn’t just a phone that people would give up, it is also every app store purchase lost. If it is on the play store they would have to buy it again but it is more likely their favorite apps are not on that store and they may not like the equivalent. They would either get the available version or keep their old one.
What a load! If iPhone users are dying to upgrade, they’ll have one of the two new ones. If they can wait, they can get the über one (per all the rumors). This is yet another worthless analyst. lol
Same old tired trope, Apple is Doomed, no company has been successfully going out of business as long as Apple.
In order for Apple customers to jump ship, they would have to release phones that are literally exploding all over the place.
well Samsung did and look what happened
Why o’ why do you even entertain this crap, much less print it? If, by the analyst’s own words, “we’ve been waiting for this phone for years”, them why would we ever “jump ship” to another phone if we have to wait a few more months?! CoM, you’re better than this.
You know how many mainstream journalists and anaylists work nowadays, similar to prostitutes: the one who pays me better gets what he wants. That’s why people use the term fake news.
I mean seriously! Potential iPhone 8 buyers will buy an android phone instead – because of a month or two of delay??? Oh boy.
Oy vey. Every time there is a new iPhone and production delays may happen, so called “Anal”lyst’s like to say that people are going to switch to Android or worse. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2d6d99a6946775c718e7a52c679c76f2acd82861ca12ee8242fbf7608e6a440c.jpg
I doubt. Most “WAITING” People wont switch from iphone to Andriod.
Personally
1) Change of ecosystem – most have ipad/prev iphone atleast. games/photos/data icloud.. doesnt make sense
2) I move from iphone 4s/5s/6 plus/7s plus waiting for Iphone X. Reason
Iphone is the only phone which had less depreciation. samsun price will $200-$300 within 3 months. if you want to sell you will sell at 60% deprection. makes economical sense…
3 and most important – quick s/w update/patches
the only phone i might switch if at all is Pixel. they are coming much more delayed.. :)