Will Apple opt for an earlier than expected iPhone 8 release date in 2017 as reports emerged that the combo of iPhone 7 and 7 Plus is performing below expectations? And when the next iPhone unpacks, it is likely that part of the rumored feature upgrades is dual SIM functionality.
In a follow up to its earlier report that Apple's plans for the next iPhone deployment in China could include a dual SIM edition, WCCFTech said that the patent filing that sparked the rumored feature upgrade has been approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The greenlight from the USPTO somehow signified that an iPhone with two SIMs will be likely not limited to China and there is chance Apple fans in the United States and other market will get a taste of the feature.
The patent in question appears to highlight a more efficient SIM management than the core function of the dual SIM, which for most is the ability to use two network service providers on stand-by at the same time. In Apple's take of dual SIM, the focus is "to ensure that there's no interference or conflict between outgoing signals from the two (SIMs)," according to WCCFTech.
As suggested by the patent filing, users will be able to optimize the SIM of their choice for specific connectivity functions. For instance, one SIM could be used exclusively for voice call and text messages while the other will be reserved for LTE or high-speed internet access.
The patent aims not only to provide would-be next iPhone owners with the option of using two networks of their preference but also to enhance their mobile connectivity experience, the report added.
And dual SIM is only among the rumored killer feature upgrades that Apple is set to deliver with the iPhone 8. The sequel to the iPhone 7 or at least the most premium of the upcoming series will reportedly boast of curved OLED panel on a supersized build of 5.8-inch. The handset is said to be of an all-glass construction on front and rear with a center framing of stainless or aluminum to hold the inside components.
The next iPhone is also predicted to ditch the Home button and most of the physical control keys and in their stead are invisible controllers embedded on the display panel, around the edge and on the rear of the device. These control keys are with sensors that automatically activate when tapped by users.
And these game-changing features for the next iPhone are likely to touchdown earlier than expected as Barron's reported of weaker iPhone 7 sales in the quarters ahead. Purportedly to mitigate the impact of weakening revenue, Apple is likely to push for an advanced iPhone 8 release date but when exactly in 2017 remains unknown.