The iPhone X has been spotted in the wild looking as amazing as many expect it would, further exciting Apple fans who are looking forward to the $1,000 smartphone.
However, a new report claims that the iPhone X will have a very limited supply upon its launch in November, with the crunch expected to extend well into next year.
The Good News: iPhone X In The Wild
Two separate threads from the same Redditor on the Apple subreddit showed a glimpse of the iPhone X in the wild.
The first thread highlighted a new dynamic wallpaper for the iPhone X, while the second thread provided a clearer look at the front and back of the upcoming smartphone.
Looking at the images, the notch in the display of the iPhone X appeared much more conspicuous than many might expect. In addition, a closer look at the home screen in the second thread revealed a "confidential and proprietary" disclaimer at the bottom. Coupled with the fact that the images were taken in the San Jose area, this likely means that the leak came from an Apple employee, or a friend of one. The carrier listed in the iPhone X units was AT&T, which means that the images were taken in the United States and not in China through one of the company's suppliers.
The Bad News: iPhone X Supply Shortage
More instances of the iPhone X being spotted in the wild might surface over the coming days and weeks, which would further drive up the hype for the smartphone. However, it appears that not everyone who wants the device will get the chance to buy it.
According to famed Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone X is suffering from production issues relating to its TrueDepth camera system, which enables the device's FaceID facial recognition feature. As such, the iPhone X supply will be extremely limited upon its launch and well into 2018.
Kuo, however, believes that the iPhone X production issues will be solved in the first quarter next year, after which shipments are expected to pick up.
Will You Wait For The iPhone X?
Preorders will start on Oct. 27, with the iPhone X release date scheduled for Nov. 3. Customers who want to be among the first ones to own the smartphone will have to be quick to send in their purchase once preorders open, or else they could be looking at a delay of a few months.
Apple fans might say that the iPhone X is worth waiting for though. Will you be willing to wait a few months before getting your hands on the smartphone?
