Apple plans to release the 10-year anniversary version of their flagship smartphone device, the iPhone, later this year. The iPhone 8 is one of the most anticipated device releases to date and is expected to drive major sales upon release.
The iPhone 8’s splash in smartphone sales may also affect secondary markets, including device trade-ins and repair. Chintan Shah, a blogger from Hyla Mobile, expects there to be a “supercycle” of device trade-ins once the new device is released, similar to the iPhone 6’s release during 2014.
Shah indicated the repair market is better equipped for a massive increase in demand this year than during 2014. Shah said the market is more mature, and it’s unlikely vendors will be “caught off guard by the increased supply of devices.”
While the iPhone 8 may drive device trade-ins and increase business for repair shops, the device’s design may be a challenge. Rumors of an edge-to-edge screen design and home button removal have raised questions about repairing a device’s screen without hindering its overall function.
The iPhone 8 is expected to be released during the fall of 2017.