You may not be able to lay your hands on iPhone 8 this year

Key component shortages and technical challenges can delay the release of the much-awaited device this fall

Apple fans have been really excited since rumours surfaced suggesting the Cupertino tech giant might release three new iPhones this year including the upgraded iPhone 7s and 7s plus in addition to the 10th anniversary iPhone, which is expected to feature major upgrades and might cost more than a $1000.

The iPhone 8 is rumoured to feature a curved, edge-to-edge display with no physical home button. Apple is also reported to be working on integrating the finger print scanner into the smartphone’s display and realign the dual rear cameras in vertical orientation.



While all these rumours sound exciting, the latest report by the Deutsche Bank hints at a delay in the release of much-awaited iPhone 8. Based on a report by the ValueWalk, analysts from Deutsche Bank released a research note on Sunday suggesting that the eagerly anticipated device might not be released in 2017.

"Report suggests no new iPhone 8 this calendar year," the bank's analysts wrote. "As we have written in previous [research notes], several supply chain reports have suggested that key component shortages and technical challenges could delay the release of a high-end iPhone 8 device this fall. We believe this report further underscores the uncertainty around the timing of Apple's next- generation iPhone model."



Citing unnamed sources in the supply chain close to Foxconn, Apple’s manufacturing partner, the ValueWalk’s article claimed that Apple would not be releasing the iPhone 8 this year, based on an apparent lack of orders for packaging materials. However, iPhone 7s and 7s Plus, the upgraded variants of 2016 iPhones, will arrive as per schedule in autumn this year.



Although it is hard to believe ValueWalk’s report in its entirety as a delay on this magnitude would be a huge deal for Apple, there were also reports from other more reliable sources, including KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, that the iPhone 8 may face delays of some kind. According to Kuo, the iPhone 8 is likely be announced alongside the 7s and 7s Plus — but it might take several months until it is ready and in the hands of customers because of "increased production difficulty".

This article originally appeared on Business Insider