Apple’s Mobile Payment Plans Could Delay iPhone 8 Launch

July 18, 2017         By: Steven Anderson

Remember when we talked about the iPhone 8, and how it was set to deliver some exciting new value in mobile payments security? The down side to that was recently revealed in a new report from Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts, who suggest that the new mobile payments and general security features may be forcing Apple to push back the launch date on the iPhone 8.

The report from analysts Stefano Pascale and Wamsi Mohan revealed that the launch date could be pushed back up to a month—between three and four weeks—thanks to “technology issues”. Apple is currently hard at work rectifying these problems with its supplier partners, reports note, but the delays may push the launch back to October.

The biggest problem is said to be involving that new facial recognition system and altered fingerprint scanner. No longer a dedicated button on the device, the fingerprint scanner is now said to work through the device’s touchscreen.

There is no solid release date as yet, though with September only a month and a half off, some announcement will likely have to come out soon. Moreover, there’s no expected date on when the problems with the device will be fixed, and supply chain problems are also said to be weighing on projected sales; the analysts cut sales forecasts from 219.1 million shipped to 208.1 million.

It’s hard to fault Apple here because it seems to be actively trying to solve one big problem it’s had; a perceived lack of innovation. Though it’s entirely possible that it got just a little too ambitious this time, pulling in too many new security features. Those who use Apple Pay will likely be glad of it, but would it have been out of line to either add the facial recognition or convert the Touch ID system? Doing both at once might well have cost Apple time in the market.

Still, there’s something to be said for an October launch. They’ll lose the back-to-school trade, but gain a better shot at the holiday shoppers looking for a great gift. When the device emerges, it will likely be a security powerhouse, making Apple Pay users all the safer for it.