The TrueDepth facial recognition 3D sensor is reportedly the latest manufacturing bottleneck when it comes to the iPhone X, and is causing Apple’s suppliers to turn out just “tens of thousands” of finished handsets per day — against possible preorders of 40-50 million.
A new report sheds a bit more light on the exact problem being faced by Apple’s suppliers. Apparently, it relates to a pair of components dubbed Romeo and Juliet, which make up the sensor in question.
These yin-and-yang modules supposedly take a considerable amount of time to assemble, which has had the effect of creating a supply imbalance — thereby causing a shortfall in the number of handsets being created.
Although there are no more details than that regarding the problem, the Wall Street Journal (which reported the story) suggests multiple sources for the story; thereby adding to its legitimacy.
At present, iPhone X assembler Foxconn will supposedly have built 2 million iPhone X handsets in September, 10 million by the end of October, and 40 million by the end of the year. With the possibility of that many preorders, however, it could be well into 2018 before those who order the handset in the first couple of weeks have received their devices.
Will you be buying an iPhone X? How long would you be willing to wait before choosing to save your money and wait for the 2018 upgrade? Drop us your thoughts in the comments below.
