It’s less than a week until the iPhone 7 announcement, but all we seem to be hearing are rumours about the iPhone 8. We think Apple might well be holding back some major updates and improvements for the iPhone 8 ,which will be launched on the 10th anniverary of the first iPhone. Here we round up the rumours about the iPhone 8 release date, features and specifications. See also: Best phones 2016.
While you might wondering what Apple will update in the iPhone 7 (which may also launch alongside an iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 Pro) there are some compelling rumours that might tempt you to wait for the iPhone 8.
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Update 2 September: The iPhone 8 is reported to come with an iris scanner, according toMoneyDJ. This feature was previously thought not to arrive on the iPhone until 2018. If true, the retina scanner could complement or replace Touch ID, though replacing it is a clear possibility if Apple does as is expected and removes the home button.
Update 26 August: The iPhone 8 will reportedly not have a home button. Or not a physical one, at least. A report by Bloomberg mentions that as part of the phone’s major redesign – which will focus on screen tech – Apple will ditch a physical home button. The reason is unclear, but it would lead to a sleeker look. Other rumours point to a potential separate iPhone model with a curved screen, although most rumours agree that the next iPhone will use an OLED screen.
Yet another new revelation is that the iPhone 8 could capture the fingerprint and possibly photos of a thief who stole it. AppleInsider has reported on a patent filed back in April which describes a way of storing biometric data when an unauthorised user is detected. It could be used to identify the person responsible and in turn lead to information which could be used to recover the stolen device. It’s unclear exactly how Apple could use the technology, but the patent also talks about machine learning, so it could be intelligent enough to figure out that it’s simply your child attempting to unlock your phone and play a game.
Also, a recent report from Nikkei suggests that in 2017, there will be a total of three new iPhone models. It looks like we’re in for the usual 4.7- and 5.5in models (the regular and Plus) but the third will be an interesting 5.5in or above with a curved screen.
The source who is familiar with Apple’s plans says the screen will be “bent on the two sides” making it sound like a Galaxy S7 edge and Note7 rival, not completely curved as some rumours have suggested.
In fact, Samsung is rumoured to be Apple’s sole OLED supplier next year but it will be unable to meet demand for its customers and its own phones. Foxconn, Apple’s regular manufacturer, has supposedly been working on developing glass casing technology with the aim of securing 2017 orders.
iPhone 8 release date rumours
It’s a bit early to talk about the iPhone 8 release date. It’s not necessarily even going to be called that. However, for now that’s the name we’re using to keep things simple and the iPhone 8 will be the new flagship smartphone for Apple in 2017.
If tradition continues, the iPhone 8 release date will be in September 2017.
However, the release date isn’t quite as easy to predict as normal. 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the original iPhone launch, so we wouldn’t be too surprised if Apple mixed things up a bit.
iPhone SE
iPhone 8 or iPhone 7S or something else? What will the iPhone in 2017 be called?
As we’ve mentioned, the iPhone for 2017 is unpredictable because of it being a big anniversary for the smartphone.
If Apple follows the usual pattern, the iPhone 7 will launch this year and will be followed by the iPhone 7S in 2017. The fact that it’s 10 years since the original iPhone means this could all go out the window. Apple will want to do something special to celebrate the occasion so an ‘S’ model, which usually just brings small tweaks, won’t really suffice.
There are many options including the possibility of another iPhone 6S model this year so the 2017 model is the iPhone 7, or the iPhone 7 does get launched this year then Apple jumps straight to the iPhone 8 next year.
It’s pretty much anyone’s guess at the moment, hence, we’re calling the 2017 model the iPhone 8 at the moment but it’s perfectly plausible that the new phone won’t conform to the traditional naming system at all. The iPhone SE (special edition) is already a thing so perhaps Apple will go with ‘iPhone Pro’, iPhone Anniversary Edition’ or even just ‘iPhone’ – although naming the iPad 3 as ‘the new iPad’ didn’t go down too well.
Vote in our poll to let us know what you think Apple will name the iPhone next year.
iPhone 8 specs and new features
If Apple does indeed do something special for the iPhone’s 10th anniversary, which seems likely based on iPhone 7 rumours, the iPhone 8 will be one which fans will no doubt want to upgrade to on launch day. Could we see the biggest queues ever?
A combination of design and hardware changes will make the iPhone 8 the most radical new iPhone to date, going by the rumours and leaks anyway.
Jony Ive has wanted to introduce an iPhone which resembles a single sheet of glass for a long time and the 2017 anniversary iPhone could be the one. It’s rumoured that at least one iPhone in 2017 will use a glass body, according to Apple supplier Catcher Technology. Glass on the front and back would make it like a hugely updated version of the iPhone 4S.
This, combined with the rumour that the iPhone 8 will sport an edge-to-edge OLED screen makes things rather interesting. And we’re not just talking the side edges, as Apple may even go as far as to do away with the top and bottom bezels. The physical home button would be gone and the TouchID fingerprint scanner would be housed within the screen.
A patent filed back in March 2015 states: “The man-machine interface device comprises an electronic display apparatus that is capable of presenting graphic text, images, icons, and other data typically shown on a screen, while further including a transparent finger touch sensor region that is seated above the display apparatus.”
Using a flexible OLED display technology will allow the iPhone 8 to be thinner and give a similar effect to the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. It should also consume less power while offering better contrast and colour reproduction. Apple already uses an OLED display for the Apple Watch.
This concept image via ConceptsiPhone shows what it might look like.
As pointed out by Patently Apple, the firm has filed and been granted patents which may well be used on the 2017 iPhone. They suggest a curved-glass design and also that the sides of the phone could be used for virtual active buttons. For example, this could be used for certain controls when the camera app is in use. If true, the phone would rival Samsung’s edge screen features.
There are plenty of other rumours and expectations for the iPhone 8 including an A11 processor built on a 10nm process. It’s also thought that the new iPhone for 2017 will feature wireless charging for the first time and possible biometric features such as facial recognition or iris scanning.
It’s somewhat up in the air as to whether Apple will remove the headphone jack for the iPhone 7 this year or not. If it doesn’t then we expect this major change will be implemented on the iPhone 8, especially considering the rumoured design changes.
There’s a long way to go yet so stay tuned for more iPhone 8 details and rumours.
[Source:-PC Advisor]
