Customers stand beneath an Apple logo. (Photo : Reuters/Mike Segar)
The iPhone 7 on release date this 2016 is rumored to unbox with a completely redesigned device profile - no more physical Home button and 3.5mm audio jack plus a further trimmed down build. However, new reports indicate that the 2017 refresh or the iPhone 7S will be the real deal and fully-loaded with game-changing features.
Known for his mostly accurate predictions on upcoming Apple products and services, Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities again dropped bold forecasts on what the next iPhone is going to be. But strangely, Kuo's latest research note is focused more on the Apple flagship smartphone that will come out in 2017.
The iPhone series of next year "will feature a completely new form factor design with more narrow bezels and a more comfortably grip," Kuo said and as reported by 9to5Mac. The highlight it seems of the 2017 iPhone design is a curved screen and curved glass casing with the tech giant finally using AMOLED display technology.
The follow up to the iPhone 7 will borrow the design language used with the iPhone 4 and 4S.
"We expect the 2017 new iPhone model to adopt a structural design similar to that of iPhone 4/ 4s, meaning it will be equipped with glass on both the front and back sides, and a metal frame surrounded the edges," the KGI report was quoted by MacRumors as saying.
And depending on how the entry of AMOLED to the iPhone supply chain will play out, Apple fans can expect unpacking of up to three iPhone screen sizes - a 4.7-inch, a 5.5-inch and a 5.8-inch version that could be the first to sport the AMOLED display panel.
Kuo's report painted two possible scenarios: Apple will keep the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch editions with LCD screens with the AMOLED panel exclusive on the 5.8-inch build. Or the 5.5-inch model will be retired in favor of the 5.8-inch. Either of the events, Apple appears ready to drop the 7 Plus label and name the bigger device as the iPhone Pro, the report said.
The 2017 iPhone refresh will also deliver the features long-clamored for by Apple fans and it involves the introduction of wireless charging and the expansion of the iPhone biometric features. Touted as game-changers for the iPhone 7S on release date are facial recognition and iris scanner that will join the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
