MacRumors obtained a leak from Virgin Mobile employees stating that a (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus tomorrow. This will apparently be a press release announcement, not Apple’s usual large scale presentation. The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus will be available for preorder starting tomorrow in a brilliant red shade with proceeds going towards the Global Fund to fight AIDS. Beyond Virgin Mobile employees, a number of other sources have chimed in to confirm.
Sadly, it seems, Apple will not be releasing a (RED) iPhone X.
No (RED)iPhone X
The iPhone X would look magnificent in red, as the render above shows. However, the internal memo from Virgin Mobile explicitly excluded the flagship iPhone. Gordon Kelly at Forbes confirmed with his own sources: Apple has no plans to release the iPhone X in red. However, the (RED) iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are scheduled for immanent release.
It’s great to see Apple releasing these phones, though it’s a shame they don’t release them at the same time as their other smartphones. Apple won’t offer a (RED)iPhone X, but I would have far preferred it to the white model I did buy. I’m sure a lot of Apple’s customers would agree. However, each sale of one of these iPhones cuts into Apple’s profit margins for the sake of charity, so it’s not something they want to do at release time.
Sources:
- Gordon Kelly, Forbes: “New iPhone Leak Confirms Significant Design Decision“
- Joe Rossignol, MacRumors: “Virgin Mobile Memo Says Apple Will Announce (PRODUCT)RED Edition iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus on Monday“