When will Apple release its follow-up to the iPhone 8 and X? We round up all the rumours about the release date, new features, UK price and tech specs of the 2018 iPhone - which may be called iPhone 11, XI or X Plus
iPhone 2018 release date
We expect the successor to the iPhones 8 and X to be unveiled in September 2018. This would be exactly a year after the iPhone 8 launched, and is in line with Apple's usual habit of launching a new flagship iPhone in September.
However, in 2017 the company didn't launch all of its new iPhones at the same time. The launch of the iPhone X came one month after the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. Whether this was due to delays or intentional isn't completely clear. Apple may have benefitted from pent up demand for the iPhone X, and it may have sold more iPhone 8 handsets than it would have if the iPhone X had been available sooner. More likely Apple struggled with component availability and manufacturing issues.
We don't expect that there will be a staggered launch for the new iPhone in 2018 though. (Other than a new iPhone SE 2 (more information about that iPhone here), which we expect to see in the Spring of 2018).
KGI Securities' analyst Ming-Chi Kuo doesn't think Apple will miss the September launch date in 2018. Kuo believes Apple's focus in 2018 will be to ensure that all the new models are ready to meet the same shipping date. "Achieving stable shipments and on-time shipping," he said in a research note to clients.
What new iPhones will Apple launch in 2018?
We don't know for sure how many new iPhones Apple will be launching in 2018, but our suspicion is that three will be announced in the autumn. (The iPhone SE 2 may appear in spring.)
Nikkei, citing "a source privy to the company's product designs", says we should expect two new OLED models, in 6.3in and 5.8in sizes, and an LCD phone measuring 6.1in.
KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo also expects that three new models will launch in the autumn, and that these will have the same all-screen design with the now familiar notch, as illustrated here.
Price
The iPhone X was positioned by Apple as a premium iPhone with a premium price - starting at £999/$999, while the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus were priced at £699/$699 and £799/$799 accordingly.
