Apple to launch three iPhone models this year

Aug 6, 2018 06:29 GMT  ·  By

Apple’s 2018 iPhone generation is expected to include three different models, and according to a new leak, the company might plan to make at least one such configuration exclusively available in specific markets.

Specifically, a report from UDN indicates that the codenames of Apple’s 2018 iPhone generation are 801, 802, 803, and 804, which means that the Cupertino-based tech giant may be working on at least a special version of one of its new iPhones.

This special version could be the dual-SIM iPhone that some people with knowledge of the matter have hinted at, though for the time being, no specifics are available.

While the 801 and 802 codenames may represent the iPhone X and the iPhone X Plus, respectively, 803 and 804 might be both used for the 6.1-inch model supposed to be released with a lower price. If this is the case, one of the two could represent the dual-SIM configuration that Apple is believed to be preparing, the cited source says.

Exclusive to China

Furthermore, it looks like this dual-SIM iPhone might only be sold in some specific markets, like China. Apple doesn’t want to launch it in all countries, the report continues, but only in those where demand for dual-SIM phones is relatively high.

China is one such market, as sales of dual-SIM Android phones is among the highest worldwide, so with such capabilities, the iPhone could finally get a bigger share there.

At some point in the future, Apple could and should release the dual-SIM iPhone in other markets as well, at least in limited numbers, as it may contribute to the super-cycle and generate bigger sales for the new-generation smartphones.

The unveiling of the 2018 iPhone lineup will take place in September, while two of the models are expected to go on sale later the same month. The dual-SIM version could hit the shelves in October.