As reported by Mashable, archived websites accessed via the Wayback Machine show that Apple stopped selling the iPhone 7's 256GB model on September 12, the same day it unveiled the iPhone 8. 

Although a spokesperson for the company has yet to respond, an Apple customer service rep confirmed the company no longer directly offered the 256GB iPhone 7. 

Customers looking for a high-storage iPhone option are left to choose between the iPhone 7 32GB or 128GB, or upgrade to the 256GB iPhone 8. 

The 256GB iPhone 7 model, however, is still available at wireless carriers while supplies last. Verizon, for example, still offers 256GB iPhones for US$749.99, compared to $849.99 for the 256GB iPhone 8. 

Read also: 'Apple won't be able to fulfill iPhone X demand within this year'

While the move by Apple is seen as a way to encourage purchases of the iPhone 8, by making it the only choice for the largest capacity phone in its lineup, the company is still struggling to generate interest in the model.

Despite its simple wireless charging and more powerful processor in comparison to previous models, Mashable reported anecdotal responses from wireless carriers in the U.S. that suggested consumers were actually buying more iPhone 7 devices than iPhone 8s. 

Lack of interest in the iPhone 8 could be seen to come down to two main factors. The first is that the iPhone 8 looks too similar to the iPhone 7 and offers little in the way of different technology to encourage customers to rush to upgrade. 

The second is that the release date of the iPhone 8 on Sept. 22, just shortly before the release of the highly anticipated iPhone X, left the former stuck in no man's land. 

Apple's top new phone, the considerably more advanced iPhone X, is set to be released on Nov. 3, and is set to cost upwards of $1,000. (liz/asw)

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