Apple is said to be working on a big jump from the iPhone 7, leading to the iPhone 8 release date in 2017 that will mark the 10th anniversary of the iOS flagship smartphone. Rumors and speculations are aplenty on the new things to expect but here are the solid details known so far.
3 iPhones
While report have emerged that Apple plans no refresh for the iPhone SE in 2017, KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo recently reported that there will be three screen sizes to anticipate next year. The regular 4.7-inch and the phablet 55.-inch are sure to unbox and to be joined by the supersized 5.8-inch model, which Kuo said will serve as the new premium build. That also reads as the priciest of the three iPhones.
OLED
OLED is long rumored as the upcoming display panel standard for the next iPhone and it appears that 2017 will be the year that the material is introduced to the iPhone supply chain. But according to Kuo, it will be a gradual switch - meaning the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen sizes will remain LCD-laced for the next iPhone push and the OLED panel will be exclusive for the giant 5.8-inch iPhone.
For its OLED needs, Apple is said to partner with Samsung, LG, Sharp and Japan Display.
All-glass chassis and wireless charging
As early as the iPhone 6, rumors have been saying that Jony Ive wants the iPhone as an all-glass device with stainless or aluminum serving as the in-between structure, holding all the intricate inner components. By next year, this vision is said to be finally realized with the bonus of wireless charging that is made possible by the inclusion of conductivity components on the side of the glass chassis.
All-screen, home button no more
For the next iPhone, it will be an all-screen device profile that will do away with the physical buttons and sensors. So the home button, for one, will be no more and according to Forbes, Apple is likely to work with South Korea's LG in implementing the new feature of embedding the control key with the display panel, still with fingerprint sensor.
Superslim iPhone
Analysts say the iPhone 8 will be the lightest and thinnest ever, thanks much to the use of 10-nanometer A11 Fusion chip and OLED display panel.
2017 rollout
And it could be that the iPhone 8 release date in 2017 will happen a bit later than usual as the major revisions on the handset are likely to cause slight production delays. Reports from Asia suggest that mass production of the next iPhone will start July or August, pointing to an unboxing in late October or early November 2017.