Apple iPhone X supply and demand won't balance until 2018, says KGI analyst

Before the launch of the iPhone X, it was widely rumoured that Apple could face an imbalance between the demand and supply of the device. Now, KGI securities has predicted that this imbalance may continue till mid 2018.

The late arrival of the iPhone X could also push the sales of the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus in the meantime. It has been mentioned that since the iPhone X was Apple's focus this time and comes with more features than the iPhone 8 models, it is likely to see more sales numbers. 

Back in August, the analytics company predicted Apple to sell around 2-4 million units of what is now called as the Apple iPhone X in Q3 this year. It also predicted the Cupertino-based tech firm to ship 45-50 million units by the end of the year. However, since the firm's flagship smartphone will be going on pre-order for the first time starting October 27, with shipping starting from November 3, Apple will be selling zero units of iPhone X in this quarter (Q3).

The details come as a reply to queries sent by a developer named Keith Krimbel.

This has led KGI to review its predictions down from 45-50 million iPhone X sales this year to just 40 million.

Apple earlier last month, as part of its Q3 2017 results, predicted that it may generate $49-52 billion revenue, which includes the spike received from iPhone sales. Since it got around $46 billion from last year's Q4, the arrival of three new handsets may probably touch the $50 billion mark in total revenue for this quarter.

As for iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, the two handsets went up for pre-orders yesterday (September 15) in as many as 30 nations across the globe. The two smartphones will go on sale in retail stores a week later (on September 22) in these countries.