The iPhone X is almost here, but a new report claims Apple is struggling to make enough copies. According to Bloomberg, the company may have even lowered the accuracy requirements for its new facial recognition Face ID camera to help its suppliers meet demands on time.
So will there be enough iPhone Xs to go around? And will Face ID live up to Apple’s hype? Here’s what you need to know.
What’s Going On With Apple’s Face ID Camera?
When Apple originally revealed the iPhone X in September, it claimed that Face ID was way more secure than the fingerprint scanner it was replacing. The company says there’s a one in one million chance a random person could pick up your iPhone X and unlock it with their face, compared to a 1 in 50,000 chance on Touch ID devices.
Though Bloomberg’s report notes that Face ID is still “far better” than Touch ID, if their sources are right, the iPhone X might not be as secure as promised.
In an official statement, Apple denied the rumor and reiterated its “one in a million” claim, but we won’t know for sure until the iPhone X launches and hackers can put it to the test.
Will There Be Enough of the iPhone X in Stock?
Even if Apple did reduce the accuracy spec for Face ID, that might not be enough to keep production on track. According to frequently-cited Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple may only have 2-3 million units on hand at launch, with 25-30 million available through the rest of the year.
By comparison, Apple reportedly sold 5.5 million copies of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus in its first weekend. Sales were even higher for previous models, with almost 10 million people picking up an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus at launch.
Based on these numbers, it looks like demand for the iPhone X could easily surpass what’s available at launch. Though if this report about the Face ID camera is correct, it might make sense to wait a little longer before buying the new smartphone, anyway.