This is why you may struggle to get hold of the new iPhone X for 2018

Apple is reportedly planning to release fewer iPhone X models this year than it prepared to this time last year, meaning they may sell out fast.

• iPhone X review
• Best iPhone X deals

According to sources of Japan's financial daily, Nikkei, Apple is expected to ship 80 million new model iPhones this year, meaning a 20 percent drop on its planned number of units last year.

The report claimed that consumer passions for iPhones may be growing weaker. Of course lower priced but similarly high-spec competition from the likes of the OnePlus 6 probably don't help the high-price Apple cause.

That said, the £999 iPhone X was still the best selling smartphone in early 2018.

The report does also point out that Apple was probably overly optimistic about the sales of its iPhone X when it placed orders last year.

This year Apple is expected to release three new iPhone X models as well as an updated iPhone SE (2018). Expect an updated 5.8-inch iPhone X, a new larger iPhone X Plus at 6.5-inches and an affordable 6.1-inch iPhone X. The iPhone SE (2018) may also feature a notch screen with edge-to-edge display for a larger screen inside the same sized body as the current iPhone SE.

Apple should release its new iPhones for 2018 around September this year.