iPhone X Form Factor to Be Used on All 3 iPhone Models in 2018: KGI's Ming-Chi Kuo

While Apple is yet to report the success of its iPhone X, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has now claimed that the Cupertino maker is planning to launch a 6.5-inch OLED and 6.1-inch LCD iPhone models in 2018. The new claim emerges days after the same source reported the development of two new iPhone models for next year. In a separate note, Kuo predicts iPhone X demand will continue to rise, while iPhone 8 demand will decline, something that will be seen in production as well.

For the first claim, Kuo courtesy 9to5Mac says there will be three iPhone models next year, with two sporting an OLED display, and the third a TFT-LCD display, all featuring iPhone X-style form factors. The first, is a 6.5-inch OLED model, which could be thought of as the iPhone X Plus, while the second is a 5.8-inch OLED model that is an upgrade to the current iPhone X. Finally, there is a 6.1-inch LCD model. All the three iPhone models are reported to have full-screen design and come with the TrueDepth camera system - suggesting the retaining presence of Apple's Face ID technology.

The KGI analyst predicts that Apple would ship 120 million units in the second half of next year, contrasting the 80 million units shipped in the second half of year. Kuo believes that the next year's lineup would be the "real super-cycle" for iPhone sales.

The LCD model in the new range will have a lower-resolution display than what would be debuted on the OLED panel-featuring iPhones to reach the price bracket between $650 and $750, Kuo added. To achieve the lower price, it would additionally have cheaper build materials.

Getting to the second claim about iPhone X and iPhone 8 demand, Kuo estimates Apple will produce between 25 and 27 million iPhone X units during the holiday quarter, and sell through between 22 and 24 million. Production can be expected to grow between 35 and 45 percent in the first quarter of 2018, while iPhone 8 production will decline 50 to 60 percent in the same period, thanks to its "few major selling points".

Last week, Kuo predicted that Apple is set to bring two new iPhone X models with OLED display panels. Among the two, one is expected to be called the iPhone X 'Plus' - succeeding the iPhone 8 Plus.