Apple iPhone X production hit by new component concerns

US tech giant Apple faces another setback in the production of its latest iPhone, after a key pair of components were reported to be causing issues.

The ‘Romeo' and 'Juliet’ parts of the device’s new facial recognition system rely on each other to function, and the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that there was an imbalance in supplies of the components.

The iPhone X, pronounced as the iPhone 10, will be made available for purchase on November 3 and could affect the initial supply as fans of the device flock to buy it.

With the 64 gigabyte version costing UK consumers £999 and a 256 gigabyte version as much as £1,149, it is the company’s most expensive iPhone to date and will cost more than some of the lower-range MacBook laptops made by Apple.

CEO Tim Cook described the smartphone as 'the biggest leap forward since the original iPhone'.

Apple also announced earlier this month the release of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, both of which have already gone on sale.

The new iPhone’s facial recognition system is based on 3-D sensor technology, with the Romeo and Juliet components supplied by LG and Sharp.

During the launch event for the smartphone, one Apple executive was left red-faced after the technology initially malfunctioned in a display session.