Apple appears all set for the iPhone 8 2017 release date as the tech giant's manufacturing partner was reportedly gearing up for the next iPhone mass production. Reports coming from Asia indicate Foxconn Electronics is ramping up on its recruitment process and has temporarily halted assembly of the iPhone 7 models.
The move, according to DigiTimes, was seen as Foxconn shifting its manufacturing focus from the iPhone 7 to the next-generation model, which is believed to be called the iPhone 8. Foxconn, which is owned and operated by Hon Hai Precision Industry, is Apple's largest device supplier with facilities in Taiwan and mainland China.
In the same report, DigiTimes said Foxconn has ordered a temporary work stoppage on production lines involving the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. It is understood that the operations have been suspended as demand for the current iPhone flagship has reached its peak and is likely to start decreasing in the months and quarters ahead.
Work on the iPhone 7 will resume once orders coming from Apple start to pick up anew but while waiting, Foxconn is already gearing for its next big assignment - the iPhone 8 mass assembly that supposedly will commence earlier than usual.
Per the related report by iDownloadBlog.com, Foxconn is eyeing to mass recruit new workers that could number up to 20,000. But unlike in the previous hiring sprees that the company had undertaken, the target this time is to attract highly skilled talents and the huge bulk of which will come from universities and technical specialized schools.
The incoming hires stand to get above average pays and will get "a chance of becoming executives at Foxconn in the future," iDB said on its report.
While the reports did not touch on the exact iPhone 8 mass production start, speculations are rife on the new things to expect the moment the next iPhone is unpacked. The latest of which claimed the device will have 3GB RAM to support the combo of A11 Fusion chip and iOS 11.
The iPhone 8, MacRumors said, will hit the market in 64GB and 256GB storage configurations or quite similar to that of the iPhone 7 Plus. The report pointed to Chinese research firm TrendForce as source of its information.
On its expected September 2017 release date, the 5.8-inch iPhone 8 with wraparound OLED display and $1000+ starting price will be joined by the 4.7-inch iPhone 7S and the 5.5-inch iPhone 7S Plus, the report added.