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)
Apple will release three distinct iPhone 8 flavors in the second half of 2017, all boasting of all-glass build and wireless charging capability. A new report said a curved OLED display panel remains in the card but the switch is exclusive to the premium and supersized 5.8-inch model.
In a latest research note, KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo echoed the earlier predictions that for the next iPhone Apple will provide a jumbo phablet with a 5.8-inch screen. However, the same device model will only have a maximum area of 5.2-inch as active touchscreen, added the popular Apple insider, who is highly regarded for issuing mostly accurate predictions on Apple products in the past.
Kuo also agreed that OLED will be introduced with the 2017 iPhones but will be limited for the biggest model as there will be three variants that the tech giant will unbox. For the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch form factors, LCD will remain the standard though there were indications that OLED will get implemented across the board come the 2018 iPhone push.
But for next year, Kuo confirmed that the new iPhone is an all-glass affair the rework of the handset's industrial design is not only for aesthetics but also to support certain functions, and one of which is wireless charging.
"We believe one of the reasons why new iPhones will switch from metal casing to glass casing is to support wireless charging," the KGI analyst was reported by MacRumors as saying. In introducing the feature, Apple is expected to utilize the typical close-range inductive mat technology, which will only be a temporary solution.
According to 9to5Mac, the iPhone maker is studying the possibility of long-range wireless charging that will truly do away with wired connections when juicing up. This convenient and game-changing functionality is seen to be introduced as early as 2018, the report added.
For the iPhone, Apple fans will have to make with the same wireless charging technology that Android device users have been enjoying for years. And Kuo has one more bad news - the accessories to support the same feature might not be bundled with the next iPhone, meaning they will be sold separately.
On release date, likely set as early as September 2017, the iPhone 8 will boast of an all-screen profile with the Home button and Touch ID sensor embedded on the front display and the powerhouse combo of 10-nanometer A11 Fusion chip and iOS 11.
