Don't panic: iPhone 8 release is reportedly right on schedule

Word of a jeopordized iPhone 8 launch due to production issues has been circulating for the last few weeks, but a new report suggests the new iPhone is actually right on schedule.

Apple will unveil its next iPhones in September before going on sale in October, according to Economic Daily News sources (via DigiTimes). Apple's parts suppliers are on track to meet an August-September mass production schedule, with some parts getting a ramp up beginning next month.

Apple is widely expected to announce the iPhone 8 to mark the iconic smartphone's 10th anniversary along with the iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus, following the tech giant's traditional update cycle.

The Economic Daily News report flies in the face of an analyst who, citing sources, said the iPhone 8's "significant hardware upgrades" led to a slip in production, pushing the schedule to October or November.

While Apple could have still unveiled the iPhone 8 in September, this rumored clog would have potentially led to limited supplies and lower-than-expected sales.

Wait, October?

Though the iPhone 8 and its cohorts don't seem to be facing production delays, it's worth noting the new iPhones' sale dates are circled for sometime in October.

This is later than Apple's typical iPhone releases, when the handsets have hit store shelves in September.

Apple apparently anticipated an October release all along, so while there's technically no delay, it will be later than iPhone shoppers are used to seeing.

The iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus are rumored to be relatively minor upgrades over the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, with the real "wow" saved for the iPhone 8.

The iPhone 8 is rumored to sport a curved design, edge-to-edge display, vertical dual-camera lens, wireless charging and augmented reality features, among other new additions. Shoppers are already holding out for Apple's 10th anniversary iPhone, so the real question now is: will the 8 match all the hype?