X

Report: Apple to make just 8 million iPhone Xs in Q2, a crazy-small batch

Slamming the brakes on iPhone X production indicates soft sales.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
Jessica Dolcourt
iphone-x-unboxing-09

The iPhone X is said to be experiencing lukewarm sales.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Apple's production of the iPhone X may slow to a trickle this quarter.

According to Fast Company, the California-based tech giant will make only 8 million iPhone X units in its second quarter of the year, in response to lukewarm sales for its $1,000 top-of-the-line phone. Apple may be trying to sell off the accumulated inventory of unsold iPhone Xs, Fast Company added.

In terms of phone units, 8 million units is a blip. Compare that to the 216.8 million iPhones Apple sold in its fiscal 2017 year, according to Statista, and the 54 million iPhones that analysts collectively believe Apple sold in the March quarter.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said in February that the "iPhone X surpassed our expectations and has been our top-selling iPhone every week since it shipped in November," but sales may have already peaked. In fact, smartphone sales have been soft across the entire phone industry, with suppliers -- including Samsung, which supplies the iPhone X's OLED screen -- warning of weakened demand

But for Apple, the world's most profitable smartphone brand, and second-largest phonemaker, dipping sales numbers may send a message that customers as aren't as interested in thousand-dollar phones as Apple had hoped.

Apple didn't respond to a request for comment.