KGI Says That iPhone X Demand Is Weaker Than Expected In China, And Reaffirms Larger-Sized iPhone Coming In Fall

According to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, that weaker-than-expected demand for iPhone X in China has led market analysts to revise down shipments for the first half of 2018. Larger-sized iPhone models in the pipeline should see Apple grow its overall worldwide shipments year-on-year.

The primary reason given it says Chinese customers are holding on to their existing phones for a longer time, quoting that lower shipment forecasts from vendors such as Huawei and Oppo, iPhone X's notch screen design has turned away potential Chinese customers.

According to Kuo, Apple will ship around 18 million iPhone X units in Q1 2018 and about 13 million in Q2 2018. The analyst expects the iPhone X to ‘go to end of life around mid-2018’ which it would mean the device would sell around 62 million units total, that's significantly lower than its previous forecast of 80 million.

Whilst iPhone X sales are weaker than they expected, KGI says that older models-iPhone 7 and iPhone 6s continue to sell well as the lower-tier phones in Apple’s lineup. Kuo believes overall iPhone shipments will maintain year-on-year growth of 0-5 percent over the first half of 2018, mainly thanks to Apple's corrected supply chain share.

The reliable analyst is also bullish on the fall 2018 iPhone lineup that the real super cycle will kick in. Repeating claims from last year, Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple will introduce new 6.5-inch OLED and 6.1-inch LCD iPhones with an iPhone X-esque design. 

We believe the addition of 6.5-inch OLED and 6.1-inch LCD iPhone models will boost Apple's market share in China, and that the US$650-750 6.1-inch LCD iPhone will make it easier for users worldwide to own a 3D sensing and full-screen design iPhone which offers an innovative user experience.

Based on the strength of the fall lineup, It's believed that iPhone shipments will grow 5-10 percent year on year over 2018. The Good news is Apple will report its fiscal Q1 earnings results on February, and that will allow us to see if iPhone X indeed is in a weaker demand or not.

Via MacRumors And 9to5Mac