On release date in 2017, the iPhone 8 is rumored to be mostly all-glass, the material sandwiching the handset's aluminum casing. But a new report suggests that instead of metal, Apple will use Zirconia Ceramic to house the next iPhone inside components.
Citing a recent Quora post by Brian Roemmele, BGR reported that the follow up to the iPhone 7 will prove more stunning and durable with the use of Zirconia Ceramic. Roemmele seems convinced that Ceramic is Apple's choice as the combo material for the rumored all-glass iPhone 8, pointing to a patent of the tech giant that was recently published and titled Co-molded Ceramic and Polymer Structure.
In the document, Apple laid down the process of "making device housings out of ceramics in combination with polymer materials." And the know-how, in fact, is nothing new to the iPhone maker as the same was employed with the recently unveiled Apple Watch Series 2, specifically the model made of ceramic casing.
The new patent, Roemmele said, is in line with analysts' predictions that in time for the next iPhone release in 2017, Apple will reveal a redesigned flagship phone, notably made of glass front and back panel.
"It is my view Apple will use this moment to present a completely new iPhone design that will be revolutionary in many ways. I assert the design language will be based on a more organic shape and design," the Quora post was reported by BGR as saying.
And the switch from aluminum to Zirconia Ceramic will result not only to a more beautiful handset but also to an "ultra-strong" device. Ceramic, the report said, is more resistant to scratch and has higher durability.
The material can also dissipate heat more efficiently, thus minimizing or even eliminating cases of device overheating in the future. And Ceramic is known to be radio signal-friendly, which for end-user will mean two things - no more ugly rear antenna band and stronger cellular and wireless signals.
Other key benefits that Zirconia Ceramic will bring to the next iPhone are more on the manufacturing process. Roemmele said Ceramic is easier to mass produce than aluminum, which indicate that low output or supply shortage will be a thing of the past come the iPhone 8.
And the next iPhone encase in Zirconia could mean more color options as the material, according to Roemmele, is easily pigmented in various color and shades.
The iPhone 8 release date is expected to happen at around the same time of the iPhone 7 intro this 2016 or September 2017 and with its unboxing, Apple is also said to use AMOLED display for the first time.