Apple to start iPhone 8 production early to meet ‘unprecedented’ demand

Apple is playing it smart this time and is already making plans to start producing iPhone 8 early as it feels that there is will be an “unprecedented” demand for its anniversary edition smartphone that is expected to change the landscape for smartphones.

Workers walk out of the entrance to a Foxconn factory in Chengdu, Sichuan province. Apple and its suppliers such as Taiwanese tycoon Terry Gou's Foxconn Technology Group have been the target of labour rights groups, which say the world's most valuable technology company are making iPhones and iPads in massive sweat shops. (Reuters)

Apple is soon going to start production of its 10-year anniversary edition iPhone 8 to cater to what it calls an "unprecedented" demand in the market.

According to reports, Apple is starting production much ahead in time as it expects the market to go crazy about the iPhone 8 which is expected to change the smartphones landscape. Obviously, a lot of expectations are riding on the iPhone 8 as it comes just months after Apple founder and late-CEO Steve Jobs launched the first iPhone in 2007.

Read: Apple's iPhone 6 for ₹3999 on Flipkart, but fine print is a spoiler

Apple will reportedly start its supply chain as early as June this year. Several reports suggest that the company has scaled down or adjusted prouction of its newer releases such as the iPhone SE, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus to make space for the iPhone 8. Reports also hint that production of its current generation models (iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus) will be minimised to make room for its next models, expected to be called iPhone 8, iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus.

Apple might have taken the decision to ensure that there is enough supply of phones post its launch. However, no change in launch dates have been announced.

Read: Apple moves closer to iPhone assembly in India, may manufacture in Bengaluru

Citing Taiwanese sources, a report from DigiTimes claims that Apple has bypassed usual supplier Foxconn and placed orders for forged stainless steel iPhone casings from manufacturing partner Jabil.

The iPhone-maker had last relied on stainless steel instead of aluminium on the iPhone 4S but had to switch to aluminium due to quality issues

Apple is also expected to build bezel-less curved OLED displays for its iPhone 8. The rumnour is in line with Sharp top executive remarks that Apple has to finally choose OLED displays to take the next step in innovating displays on its smartphones.

Read: Channeling Steve Jobs, Apple seeks design perfection at new "spaceship" campus

(Reuters)

(Reuters)

According to Barclays Research analysts, the 5-inch and 5.8-inch bezel-free iPhones with borderless design will allow for the new iPhones to be the same overall size as current 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models, MacRumors.com reported.

"Larger and bezel-less iPhone 8 design did not sound 100 per cent locked down but we believe the move is to a bezel-less design with screen sizes getting larger and curved edges in the original envelope," the report quoted analysts as saying.

Read: Apple iPhone 8 to come with facial recognition tech via new 'laser sensor'

There are reports that a bezel-free design by Apple will be achieved by removing the iconic Home button on the next iPhone. Barclays expects that the screen will extend vertically as well as horizontally.

Other rumours suggest that the iPhone 8 will come with improved 3D Touch functionality.