As the Apple iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus provide the ultimate iPhone experience for 2016, rumors have already started focusing on the next generation devices.
It has been heavily speculated – even before the launch of the iPhone 7 and its larger twin – that Apple was going to completely skip the iPhone 7S model in favor of the iPhone 8. One of the concrete evidences has come in the design of the current generation iPhone, which is almost similar to the last two generations.
Apple usually makes a major change in design once every two years, but the fact that they have completely skipped this element hints at a major revision coming up in the next generation. There is also a huge probability of the same considering that next year marks the 10th anniversary of the iPhone. The original iPhone was introduced by Steve Jobs in 2007 and it has held its crown as the instantly recognizable smartphone for almost a decade. However, its supremacy has clearly been challenged in recent times as Apple has been hit with falling sales for the last three quarters.
Since the current design philosophy started out with the iPhone 6, one can expect a major revision when the iPhone 7S or even the iPhone 8 comes out in September next year. New rumors suggested that the iPhone 8 will come with a glass back – going back to the designs of previous years – rather than the aluminum finish. China’s Biel Crystal Manufactory and Lens Technology is apparently about to supply Apple with the glass panels. However, the front will continue to use a metal frame although it is not known whether it would be aluminum or stainless steel.
One of the big surprises may actually come in the display department. The Apple iPhone has carried on with its 4.7 inch and 5.5 inch variants for the last couple of years, but 2017 could see the introduction of the 5 inch display model in addition to these variants. It would also be a possibility that the 4.7-inch version becomes obsolete. Apple may offer the 5 inch display in a 4.7-inch form factor due to reduction in bezel thickness. Surprisingly, the Apple iPhone 8 Plus is also rumored to come with a Super AMOLED panel – manufactured by none other than nemesis Samsung – for the 5.5-inch screen. Wireless charging support is also highly anticipated in the upcoming iPhones.