Apple to Launch the Cheaper Version of iPhone X This Year

It is reported that Apple, an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services, plans to launch three new iPhone models, with one of which believed to be a cheaper version of iPhone X.

A market insider noted that the lackluster sales of iPhone X so far, due mainly to the i-gadget's high price, have disappointed Apple, which, in turn, will likely force the world's largest information technology company to fine-tune its new product launch this year.

Thus, the company is alleged to have decided to promote a low-cost version of iPhone X with a unit price ranging US$700 to US$800 (NT$20,369 to NT$23,278), representing a 30 percent off compared to that of the original iPhone X, so as to offer consumers a less expensive option and ensure robust sales of the said model.

Rumor says that in exchange for the wallet-friendlier prices, the newer iPhone X model will adopt a LCD screen rather than OLED, and an outer frame made of aluminum alloy with a screen size of 6.1 inches, with some of features seen in the original iPhone X, such as Face ID, to be removed.

If the rumor proves to be true, the budget-priced version of iPhone X will hopefully help boost overall sales of the iPhone models slated for launch this year. But, some of contract suppliers of iPhone's parts and components, such as WIN Semiconductors Corp., a Taiwan-based semiconductor maker, might not be able to profit from it as much as before.

Last year, Apple unveiled three iPhone models, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, making 3D sensing technology a buzzword in the smartphone market. Nevertheless, to WIN Semiconductors, which was among those once hyped up about the new i-gadgets, to say iPhone X has turned out to be a double-edged sword is not overstated.

Riding on the 3D sensing trend and the launch of iPhone X, WIN's stock price had continuously mounted for a long period of time, and hit a new high of US$11.68 (NT$340) in early December, last year. However, dampened by sluggish sales of iPhone X, the company's stock price in the Taiwanese bourse has steadily dropped since then, and closed at US$8.25 (NT$240) per share on January 24, which could be translated into a sharply slump of around 30 percent from the record high attained nearly two months ago.

In addition to the much more affordable iPhone X model, Apple is said to release other two higher-end models with a screen size of 5.8 and 6.5 inches, respectively. Both the models will be built with a dual-lens camera system and 3D Touch function. Worth mentioning is that the 3D touch function is widely expected by market observers to become a minimum requirement for all newer iPhone models to come to the market in the near future.