An all-glass and bezel-free render of the iPhone 8 with OLED curved display and wireless charging that Apple is expected to release 2H 2017 (Photo : YouTube/iCrackUriDevice)
The iPhone 7 and its phablet sibling, the iPhone 7 Plus, are out but already Apple fans are setting their sights on the iPhone 8, which on its 2017 release date is rumored to center on an all-glass build and design. Many also believe that the next iPhone is the one to really watch for as it will be packed with feature upgrades not seen in the last three versions.
What to expect? Thankfully, the current Apple flagships provided solid clues on the exciting things to come and some are listed below:
Design overhaul
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus used the same design language that Apple has first introduced with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in 2014 so there is no way the next iPhone will sport the same general look. Analysts have been saying that it will be an all-glass device next year for the tech giant, which essentially will bring back the acclaimed iPhone 4/4S industrial look but with significant improvements.
And instead of aluminum, the casing that will hold the next iPhone inside components will be made of Zirconia Ceramic that will make the device more beautiful and durable. This was suggested by a recently published Apple patent.
All-screen OLED and virtual buttons
Speculations are rife too that in time for the 2017 iPhones, Apple will stretch the device screen to the edge and will eliminate all bezels - left, right, top and bottom. Sensors, speakers and control keys will be embedded with the display panel and such move was previewed by the new iPhone 7 home button, which morphed from a mechanical to a capacitive setup.
And AMOLED or OLED display technology will finally become part of the iPhone supply chain.
More power and speed
Already, the A10 Fusion chip powering the iPhone 7 and Plus is proving far more superior from the competition with its 14/16-nanometer chip design. For the iPhone 8, Apple is said to have tapped TSMC to fashion out the A11 chip on 10nm process and fans could only wonder the mobile computing muscle and speed to be deployed with the 2017 models.
And perhaps, the 10th anniversary of the iPhone will mark the fitting bump to 4GB RAM for models across the board that will render the iOS flagship phones with desktop capabilities.
Wireless
The new iPhone unboxed minus the 3.5mm audio port, setting the stage for Apple's mission of gradually eliminating wired accessories for the device. For now, it is wireless listening for iPhone listening thanks to the AirPod and likely to arrive next is wireless charging.
Waterproofing
Officially, the new iPhones are resistant to dust and liquid intrusions that certainly will be further improved come the next iPhone. It will be a waterproof device that can withstand higher degree of underwater torture.
3D shooting capability
With the latest iPhones, Apple impressed with its dual-lens main camera and the next level is likely a 3D cam that should be realized in time for the iPhone 8 release date in fall of 2017.
