'iPhone 8' reveal delayed to November, according to South Korean supply chain sources

Citing unnamed sources from the supply chain, The Korea Herald reported on Thursday afternoon that the delay is related to an unfinished design, and technical issues with the technologies rumored to be in the device.

"Apple's top brass recently approved the September launch of two LCD models," said the official from a South Korean component supplier. "But, the OLED iPhone launch is likely to be delayed to November."

The sources claim that Apple has yet to make a some decisions on the "iPhone 8" design.

"The iPhone's rear design has not yet been finalized," said the same source. "We are still awaiting Apple's final decision before shipping parts."

Neither the supplier, nor the executive that the Korea Herald spoke with were identified in any way. The publication also cites Samsung's relatively late and "unusual" OLED delivery as possible evidence that the "iPhone 8" reveal will be later than historically expected.

One source cited by the Korea Herald believes that the late reveal is because of Touch ID.

"Fingerprint scanning, which plays a crucial role in safeguarding payment solution Apple Pay, needs to be fault-free," said another unnamed source, allegedly a display expert. "Apple seems to have failed to fully develop the technology for the upcoming iPhone."

The Korea Herald has not been reliable in the past in predicting future Apple products, or release dates for same. It does not historically have a pro-Samsung bias, and was one of the lead publications detailing the bribery scandal between Samsung and the Korean government.

However, it is unclear where the data for the report has been sourced. Many other reports from the supply chain, particularly recent ones that are considered more reliable sources of Apple's plans, tell a different tale and have walked back discussions of a profound delay for the "iPhone 8."

The "iPhone 8" is predicted to have edge-to-edge OLED display with 5.15 inches of user space and a higher resolution than the iPhone 7 Plus at 2,436 by 1,125 pixels. Facial recognition technology rumored to be in the device may replace Touch ID — but the rumor mill has conflicting information on that.

Predictions have ranged between Apple could charge a starting price of around $1000 and as much as $1200 for the starting cost of the iPhone 8.