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The Latest Smartphone News from Apple & Samsung

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On today’s episode of the Tech Talk Tuesday podcast, Ryan McQueeney discusses the latest news from the smartphone industry, including worries that Apple’s iPhone X line is underperforming and fresh rumors emerging about Samsung’s foldable touchscreen device.

Remember to subscribe and leave a rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy the show!

Smartphone diehards have already had at least a couple of major stories to digest this week, with one being delivered by each of the arguably two most powerful brand names in the global industry.

For Apple (AAPL - Free Report) , the story involved continued concern that the latest updates to the iPhone X line are not selling as well as the Cupertino-based behemoth had hoped.

Investors were clued in to this possibility last week thanks to reports that Apple had told suppliers to ditch plans for additional production lines for the iPhone XR, and on Monday, that theory was given even more evidence.

This is because key Apple supplier Lumentum Holdings (LITE - Free Report) , which makes 3D chips used in the company’s FaceID architecture, issued a profit warning and cautioned that one of its biggest clients had recently reduced the scope of its order.

Apple was not named specifically, but analysts quickly connected the dots and suggested that Lumentum’s warning could represent as much as a 30% cut to the iPhone maker’s order.

It is just an “S” year for Apple, but the company’s decision to offer a lower-cost “R” version of its flagship smartphone seemed to offer the industry a potential new trend. Now it seems that strategy might not be connecting quite as well as expected.

Meanwhile, Apple rival—and largest smartphone manufacturer in the world—Samsung also made headlines Monday thanks to excitement over its upcoming foldable touchscreen device.

The “flip-phone” smartphone from Samsung has been rumored for a long time, but the South Korean tech giant only just officially acknowledged the new technology last week. Samsung has dubbed the tech behind the foldable design “Infinity Flex Display” and said it plans to start mass producing it in a “matter of months.”

But reports from South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency added more details to that reveal, saying that the actual phone will be called the “Galaxy F” and might retail for as much as $1,770. The Galaxy F will reportedly debut in March, just one month after Samsung plans to reveal the Galaxy S10.

Should Apple investors be concerned? Was this year’s iPhone roster simply not that cool? Is there any way Samsung’s foldable smartphone becomes a hit? Ryan answers these questions, and more, only on today’s Tech Talk Tuesday!

If you feel that we missed something, or if you want us to cover a different story, shoot us an email at podcast@zacks.com. Make sure to check out all of our other audio content at zacks.com/podcasts, and remember to subscribe and leave us a rating!

Thanks for listening to the Zacks Tech Talk Tuesday Podcast; we will see you next time!

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