It appears Apple (AAPL) had plans for a gold-colored iPhone X but decided against it. A document containing details of the device’s design was submitted to the Federal Communications Commission last September. Prior to iPhone X’s release, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities had stated that a gold-colored iPhone X was likely to face production problems and would be available in low volumes. It was also hinted that a gold-colored version might be released later than the other versions.
Apple eventually released the iPhone X in two versions – silver and space grey at the end of 2017. It is not clear whether a gold version will be released at all. The iPhone X has faced manufacturing issues and production cuts during the first three months of 2018.
While last week Apple rolled out red-coloured iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, the upcoming announcement of new iPhone models in September is something to look forward to. Last December, it was reported that Apple would launch three new iPhone models in 2018 with larger batteries and longer battery lives.
Quarterly results on May 1
Speculations and rumors on the gold-colored models gain pace just two weeks ahead of the second quarter earnings announcement, scheduled for May 1. The company is guiding for $60 billion to $62 billion in revenue and a gross margin of 38% to 38.5%.
iPhone revenue is a key area to look at. During the first quarter of 2018, iPhone revenue saw an year-over-year growth of 13%. Apple will have to achieve more than $36 billion in iPhone revenue to see another double-digit year-over-year growth.
The upcoming announcement of new iPhone models in September is something to look forward to
Apple’s services segment, meanwhile, is expected to see similar growth as in Q1 2018.
Some analysts are of the opinion that Apple, which benefited significantly from the tax reform, is in a good position to increase its capital return and could very well go ahead and double its dividend without getting hurt.
At the end of the day, market-beating earnings results would be more attractive than a gold-colored iPhone X.