Apple opts to repair 'small number' of iPhone 8 models with faulty logic boards

Apple has acknowledged that a small number of iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus smartphones may be shutting down or becoming non-responsive due to a faulty logic board stemming from a manufacturing error. These iPhone 8's were sold in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Macau, New Zealand and the U.S. between September 2017 and March 2018.

Apple says that taking the affected devices to an Apple Retail Store will have the specialists performa a quick check to see if these are indeed faulty and Apple will repair these smartphones for free. The issue cannot be fixed in store, so customers will need to spend a few days without a phone.

Special edition (PRODUCT) RED iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus now available for preorder

Apple has announced a special edition of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus featuring a (PRODUCT) RED colour. The company is also releasing a new RED leather case.  While this features the same specs as the iPhone 9 and iPhone 8 Plus, it now has a striking red glass caseback as well as matching redaluminum band offset by a black front. This is a welcome revamp to last year's (PRODUCT) Red iPhone 7 and 7 Plus which had a white front.

A portion of proceeds for all (PRODUCT)RED purchases go directly to Global Fund HIV/AIDS grants that provide testing, counseling, treatment and prevention programs with a specific focus on eliminating transmission of the virus from mothers to their babies.  Offering the RED variant of the iPhone has become a yearly event, albeit a minor one. Apple usually updates the smaller iPhone SE this time of the year as well, too but no announcement has been made regarding a replacement the most reasonably priced iPhone which is a huge seller in markets that prefer smaller form factors.

The special edition (PRODUCT)RED iPhone will be available to order online in select countries and regions tomorrow and in stores beginning Friday, April 13. Available in 64GB and 256GB models starting at an Apple retail price of $929 (CAD) from Apple.com/ca.

Rogers reports tremendous excitement for iPhone X and good demand for iPhone 8

Apple's iPhone X went up for pre-orders in Canada earlier today and quickly sold out of existing online stock. Rogers reportedly stated, "tremendous customer excitement" and strong pre-orders for the iPhone X. The carrier also changed its tune on the iPhone 8, which the company says now has good demand. More importantly, it now says overall demand for the iPhone 8 is "good" after initially saying initial demand  for iPhone 8 was 'anemic'.

In an exclusive interview with Axios reporter Ina Fried,  Rogers executive VP Raj Doshi said "we're seeing tremendous customer excitement for iPhone X with strong customer pre-orders."

"We're also seeing good demand for the iPhone 8. We expect the two together will be very popular with our customers this holiday season with iPhone 8 being a major contributor," he added. The uptick in iPhone 8 demand could be a result of the iPhone X's halo effect.

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Demand for iPhone 8 wanes, Apple reportedly reduces production

Review: Apple iPhone 8 Plus

With the excitement surrounding the iPhone X, it seems to have overshadowed the new iPhone 8 devices. Reuters even quotes Rogers Communication’s chief executive who says demand for the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus have been “anemic.” This response from the public reportedly has Apple telling its suppliers in Taiwan to reduce production by nearly 50 percent in the following two months.

Apple’s shares fell nearly 3 percent on Thursday prompting analysts and investors to wonder about this staggered release of the company’s new devices. The iPhone X is expected to drop on November 3^rd. However, there are analysts that think the weak iPhone 8 sales won’t hurt Apple’s overall phone production as well as its revenue and margins as consumers might still consider buying older models. Demand might also surge once the new iPhone comes out—but again, that might not be for the iPhone 8.