Rumors already fly on Apple's plan for the next iPhone, which in numerous reports is being called as the iPhone 8 (and with the phablet iPhone 8 Plus) that likely is scheduled for release date between September and October 2017. What are the things to expect?
Analysts have been saying that the follow up to the iPhone 7 will be a major redesign from the past three models. There were mentions of an all-glass industrial design that will bring back the look and feel first with the iPhone 4/4S but according to Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities the next instalment will be made of glass - for the front and back panel - and stainless steel. The latter material will serve as the solid frame construction that will hold the components sandwiched by the glass panels.
In a recent report, Kuo also indicated that for the more affordable 2017 iPhones Apple will use aluminum instead of stainless steel, purportedly to keep the unit price at a lower level. So the next iPhone with the more robust stainless steel will be the high-end or more expensive options.
And there were talks of a device front display that will boast of edge-to-edge screen, which according to Apple Insider has been practically confirmed by a freshly approved Apple patent titled "Capacitive fingerprint sensor including an electrostatic lens." The technology in question talks of a device screen that hides sensors and control keys underneath the display, thereby allowing designers to make the next iPhone with a bezel-free screen.
The tech, if applied to the 2017 iPhones, will also see the total disappearance of the Home button that in the current model morphed from mechanical to capacitive. It's forecasted too that Touch ID and all the other known functions of the iPhone Home key will be embedded with the next-gen screen with 3D Touch playing an important role. It is believed too that OLED screen will debut with the next iPhone.
As for the power inside, it's expected that the sequel to the A10 Fusion chip powering the current iPhones will be known as A11 Fusion chip. And in the latest information picked up by BGR, the next iPhone processing chip promises to be bursting with power and speed.
The same report pointed to a Geekbench test result that was leaked out in China's microblogging site Weibo, which painted the upcoming A10X (rumored to be used for the iPad Pro upgrades) as a monster chip. Scores registered were 4236 on single-core test and 6588 on multi-core test, which the report as "off the charts."
The number were for the A10X and it's hard to imagine how powerful and superfast the A11 Fusion chip can be, which will drive the 2017 iOS devices. With the chip running the show, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus on release date will be "scary powerful," BGR said.