What’s next for iPhone? 2017 will be Apple’s 10th anniversary iPhone year and the latest intel shows it could be one of the biggest updates to the device in a long time. Bigger, better, and curved displays, an all-glass design, wireless charging, and a new embedded home button are just some of the features Apple is reportedly considering for the iPhone 8. Head below for our full roundup of everything we currently know about Apple’s next flagship.
4.7 to 5.8-inch Displays | OLED | Curved
There have been a lot of varying reports about screen sizes for the upcoming iPhones. Updated 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models like the current flagship iPhone 7/7 Plus lineup appear to be in the works, but there are also many reliable reports of a new 5.8-inch flagship model incoming…
That 5.8-inch model, according to one report, will actually have a 5.2-inch panel of usable touchscreen space with the remainder of the display curving around the edges of the device. And it’s not just that report that points to evidence Apple is working on a new curved display for some upcoming iPhone models. The Wall Street Journal recently confirmed Apple is prototyping a hi-res curved-screen model as a possible top-tier iPhone 8, and a separate report citing supply chain sources claimed Apple was partnering with LG Display on a foldable OLED for upcoming iPhones. While the 5.8-inch iPhone 8 is said to be the first to switch to an OLED display, one report said the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch updates would remain with LCDs.
Though there are a couple additional reports that a 5-inch iPhone model is also being planned for next year, it’s unclear where that would fit in the lineup if accurate, especially if a 4.7-inch model does indeed stick around. Lastly, the company is said to not be planning an update to its current iPhone SE model introduced last March, the last of the 4-inch iPhone models on the market.
- Apple reportedly sourcing 5.8-inch AMOLED panels for next iPhone exclusively from Samsung
- Report: Apple planning new 5-inch iPhone model with vertical dual-camera design for 2017
- LG Display reportedly partnering with Apple on foldable OLED for upcoming iPhones
- Report: Apple iPhone 8 to feature plastic, curved, OLED display
- New profile sheds light on Apple’s push to switch to OLED displays with iPhone 8
- Apple prototyping hi-res curved-screen model as possible top-tier iPhone 8 – WSJ
- Apple planning one 5.2-inch OLED iPhone 8 with major redesign + 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch LCD models
- iPhone 8: No OLED display expected on 4.7-inch and some 5.5-inch models, dual camera staying Plus exclusive
- iPhone 8 Plus model likely to use OLED display says Sharp CEO, company could make future iPhone OLEDs in US
- Nikkei: iPhone 8 will introduce 5-inch version
- iPhone sales expected to drop in 1st half of 2017 without new SE model, Apple to put margin pressure on suppliers
All-Glass Design | New Colors |
Apple is planning a new design for the 2017 iPhone lineup that will ditch the aluminium body of the current models in exchange for an all-glass design with metal only around the edge of the device. This comes from several supply chain reports in recent months from typically reliable sources. Think iPhone 4/4S, Apple’s last iPhone model to sport glass on both the front and back, although likely with a much sleeker design overall thanks to the curved display reportedly being planned. The iPhone 4 was offered in black and white, but Apple could have other options as well…
A separate report said Apple is planning a red chassis as a new color option for an upcoming iPhone, and there are still rumors floating around that the company is working on a white color option for iPhone 7 that could presumably make its way to the “iPhone 8” next year too.
- Apple reportedly introducing a red chassis color option with new ‘iPhone 7s’ in 2017
- Nikkei: iPhone 8 will introduce all-glass backs across lineup
- KGI: Apple to drop aluminum iPhone casing in 2017 in favor of new ‘all glass’ enclosure with AMOLED screen
- KGI: Apple to revamp iPhone lineup in 2017 w/ iPhone 4-like design
Wireless charging |
If all the supply chain chatter is accurate, wireless charging functionality could be one of the highlight new features for the iPhone 8. A recent report from KGI said Apple was planning to offer wireless charging on three new iPhone models (4.7-inch, 5.5-inch and the new 5.8-inch), though the supply chain analysts also suggested the wireless charger would not be bundled with the device and instead sold as a separate accessory. Backing up the report, separate supply chain intel back in October claimed Apple manufacturing partner Foxconn was producing and testing wireless charging modules for iPhone 8.
Inductive wireless charging has been available via accessories and on other smartphones for quite a while, but Apple has made it known publicly that it doesn’t like the tech. The company’s head of marketing Phil Schiller noted back in 2012 that “wireless charging systems still have to be plugged into the wall, so it’s not clear how much convenience they add.” That’s what makes Apple’s reported connection with Energous, a company that has developed a truly wireless charging solution called WattUp, all that more interesting. The technology can charge devices from up to 15ft away using a single transmitter and a receiver embedded into your device. That means no charging mats or additional accessories to plug-in like current solutions.
A recent report noted that Apple supplier Dialog has partnered with Energous. Before that discovery, a separate story detailed what appeared to be evidence between Apple and Energous, although the company later responded, it didn’t deny a partnership with Apple.
- Ahead of iPhone 8, Apple supplier Dialog partners with long-range wireless charging company Energous
- iPhone 8 to eclipse sales record set by iPhone 6, wireless charging on high-end and low-end models
- Apple to incorporate wireless charging into ‘all-glass’ iPhone 8 in 2017, but wireless charger may not be bundled in the box
- Report: Foxconn currently producing & testing wireless charging modules for iPhone 8
- KGI: Apple to revamp iPhone lineup in 2017 w/ iPhone 4-like design, wireless charging
- More evidence Apple is working on wireless charging tech with Energous
Embedded Home Button |
It has been rumored for several years now that Apple is experimenting with a Home button embedded right into the iPhone’s display and Apple even has patents for such a concept. That would allow it to reduce or perhaps remove the bezel on the front and increase screen real-estate without increasing the size of the device. One patent showed Apple is even exploring methods of allowing fingerprint recognition almost anywhere on the screen. Add in the curved display that Apple is reportedly considering for at least some of the new iPhones and you can imagine what could be quite a stunning update for the front side of the iPhone 8 with near edge-to-edge glass.
- NYT corroborates rumors of ‘full-screen face’ 2017 iPhone with embedded Home button
- Apple again said to remove Home button with iPhone coming in 2017
- WSJ: iPhone 7 w/ similar design and removed headphone jack this fall, major changes next year
- Latest Apple patent appears to show fingerprint recognition almost anywhere on the screen
- Bezel-free iPhone a step closer as third Apple patent published for Touch ID sensor embedded in display
- Report: Apple already working on putting a virtual Home button into the iPhone screen
Augmented Reality |
While the reports on these features are few and far between at this point, there are at least some clues that augmented reality features are in the cards for future iPhones, perhaps even starting with the iPhone 8. In January, 2016 a report said Apple was building a secret research team to develop virtual and augmented reality tech including reportedly prototyping VR headsets. A separate report back in November claimed Apple is working on AR features that will debut first in a future iPhone’s camera app and tap into technology the company picked up through its acquisition of Metaio and others. That includes object and facial recognition camera features, according to the report, with plans for an SDK for app developers down the road. A separate report from Bloomberg said Apple is exploring digital glasses that could be released as early as 2018.
- Report: Apple working to integrate augmented reality into the iPhone’s camera app
- Apple will get 3-5 year lead in augmented reality
- Tim Cook talks Augmented Reality at Utah Tech Tour [Video]
- Report: Apple exploring digital glasses, could release its offering as early as 2018
- Unlikely report claims iPhone 8 will be ‘a clear piece of glass’ with ‘Mixed Reality’
- Apple reportedly building secret research team to develop virtual and augmented reality tech
iPhone 8 concept images via ConceptsiPhone.
