According to Fast Company, which cited a source familiar with the matter, one of these software issues is linked to wireless charging. Apple’s latest flagship model, which is expected to cost over a grand, is believed to have been designed to enable users to charge batteries without having to plug in their phones. However, the separate charging device the phone will sit on is reportedly still not ready, even though the wireless charging components, provided by chipmaker Broadcom (AVGO), are said to be fully functional.
Fast Company’s source says that these software difficulties could lead Apple to ship the first phones with wireless charging hardware that doesn’t work. The plan, should Apple’s engineers not get the issue fixed in time, would be to activate the feature at a later date, similar to how it has done with other hardware, such as Portrait Mode in the iPhone 7 Plus, in the past.
The new iPhone’s facial recognition technology might meet a similar fate. Earlier this month, rumors surfaced that the company plans to replace fingerprint scanning with more secure 3D facial recognition technology on its latest model. According to Fast Company’s source, Apple has yet to get these sensors to work reliably.
The source is confident that Apple will find a way to get the 3D software working in time, but also warned that the iPhone could be released with sensors that don't work, meaning that users will have to wait for it to be activated later on with a software update.
Failing that, the other alternative is a delayed release date for the iPhone. Apple’s flagship phones are typically launched in September, although analysts have already questioned whether the company’s latest model will be ready in time, particularly given the sophisticated features expected.
Adding too many features appears to be backfiring, ” said Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Mehdi Hosseini to investors in a note reported on by Barron's. Analysts at Susquehanna and KeyBanc have heard that Apple is facing problems integrating finger print sensors into the iPhone 8 OLED display. Fast Company's source said the reports are "plausible" and added that "in all likelihood, the fingerprint sensor will be embedded under the display."
