By Philip C. The iPhone 8 is a highly anticipated handset coming in 2017, and after the disappointment of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in 2016, Apple has to step up their game on this handset this year, if not they might as well throw in the towel to their huge competitor Samsung. Being Apple’s 10th anniversary this year, the company is expected to skip the ‘S’ series of the phones in favour of going to the next generation, the iPhone 8. The previous iPhone 7 and 7 Plus was somewhat of a let down, looking almost identical to the previous generation iPhone 6. This year however, if the rumours are anything to go by, Apple is looking to revitalize things with the iPhone 8, making it a radical redesign from the previous iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models. In this article, we will be discussing about some of the rumored new features and specs of the iPhone 8. Camera The dual-lens camera introduced in the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus is expected to continue to be a feature exclusive to "high-end" iPhone models in 2017. A 4.7-inch iPhone with a single camera, a 5.5-inch model with a dual-lens camera, and an OLED model in an unspecified size with a dual-lens camera is also expected to come. Future models may include optical image stabilization (OIS) for both the wide-angle and telephoto lenses. In the iPhone 7 Plus, only the wide-angle lens features OIS. The camera on the iPhone 8 could also support 3D photography effects if Apple chooses to use an LG camera module. According to Japanese site Mac Otakara, the high-end 5-inch iPhone Apple plans on introducing could adopt a new vertical dual camera arrangement instead of a horizontal dual camera system. While the iPhone’s camera has always been one of its best features, its competitor Samsung has also produced arguably the best phone camera in 2016 on the Galaxy S7. We look forward to see how Apple will attempt to one-up Samsung in this aspect. Display One of the iPhone 8 models is expected to include a flexible OLED display and Apple has already signed a deal with Samsung to produce OLED displays for devices set to debut in 2017. Samsung will provide Apple with an estimated 160 million OLED panels to be used for the rumored 5-inch OLED iPhone. An OLED display does not require backlighting, which is used in the previous iPhones, which allows Apple to cut down on the thickness and weight of the display used in the handset. OLED displays can also be flexible, which might mean that we will see a wraparound display on the new iPhones. OLED displays also offer truer colors, better power efficiency, clearer viewing angles, better contrast ratio, and a faster response time than an LCD display. However, OLED displays are not as lasting or hardy than an LCD display and are more prone to water damage. What is interesting to note is that Apple is already using OLED displays on the Apple Watch. Multiple rumors suggest Apple will implement an edge-to-edge display, which means the iPhone will have no top, bottom, or side bezels, with the display taking up the entire front of the device. It will look like a single piece of glass. Sensors like Touch ID and the front-facing camera will be embedded into the display, hidden under the display. It is also rumoured that there will be no Home button on the device. Based on information sourced from the Asian supply chain, IHS analyst Kevin Wang, for example, believes the 2017 iPhone will include a "dual-curve" OLED display that covers the left and right edges of the device. Should Apple use a display with curved edges, it may also implement new touchscreen technology that would allow the edges of the device to respond to touch gestures. Size and Colour The iPhone 8 is expected to come out in 3 sizes, namely the 4.7 inch LCD iPhone 8, the 5.5 inch LCD iPhone 8 Plus and the 5 inch OLED iPhone 8 Pro. Apple is rumored to be planning to move away from the aluminum body that it has been using since 2012, instead opting to re-adopt the glass-backed body last used for the iPhone 4s. While the iPhone 8 Pro model is expected to feature a glass body, rumors disagree on what the other two models will be made from. According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has shared several accurate rumors about Apple's design plans in the past, all three iPhones will feature the same glass-bodied design, with glass instead of aluminum used for the body of the device. Kuo also believes a stainless steel frame will be used in the higher-end iPhone, while less expensive models may get an aluminum frame, but he believes all three models will use glass. DigiTimes, citing sources within the Taiwanese supply chain, has also predicted Apple will adopt a glass body with a stainless steel frame for improved sturdiness in the iPhone 8. The finishes on these phones are expected to be a new high-gloss jet white finish, a space black finish, a polished gold finish, and also the usual silver, jet black and rose gold finishes. Nothing has been said about a matte black finish at this point of time however. Charging Ports The new iPhone is expected to come with its usual lightning port, but only time will tell if they will ever come equipped with a USB Type C port that is quickly becoming popular these days. If Apple wants to stay relevant, they would include in a USB Type C port on the iPhone 8. However, according to rumours, it is said that the new iPhone 8 will not be shipping with the lightning to headphone adapter, like in the iPhone 7, nor will it be shipping with a lightning to USB Type C adapter. This brings us to this: Wireless Charging Recent information and speculation suggests that instead of long-range wireless charging techniques, Apple will instead use an inductive-style wireless charging solution (similar to the Apple Watch) for the device. Apple recently joined the Wireless Power Consortium, which is committed to the open development of the Qi wireless charging standard that is widely used in devices like the Samsung Galaxy line, and Apple has filed dozens of patents for inductive charging. Dozens of hires with expertise in wireless charging have also joined the company in recent months. The company's plan to use a glass body hints that inductive charging will be used, as glass would be required to allow charging through a magnetic coil. Inductive charging would not work as well with an aluminum body. There is also evidence that Apple is seeking components that point towards an inductive charging solution. Lite-On Semiconductor is rumored to be providing integrated chip components for the wireless charging module in the iPhone 8. Most recently, Japanese site Mac Otakara said Apple would use a wireless charging accessory designed using technology sourced from Luxshare, a company that has reportedly provided components for the Apple Watch in the past. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that all new iPhones are likely to support wireless charging next year, including the 4.7-inch model, the larger 5.5-inch model, and the high-end OLED model. Japanese site Mac Otakara disagrees, however, and says wireless charging will only be available in the higher-end OLED iPhone. It is also rumoured that wireless charging will only be an option for the phone, and the wireless charger be sold separately. The iPhone is expected to release on September 2017, and as there has been no official launch from Apple yet, everything you see in this article is subject to change and does not reflect the final product whatsoever. However, if the rumours are true, it looks like Samsung will have a challenging opponent to face this year. What do you think the new iPhone 8 will be like? Let us know in the comments below. If you liked this article, hit the share button and tell your friends! For more great content, offers and giveaways, don’t forget to subscribe to our mailing list and like our Facebook Page. Photo Credits: Handy Abo Vergleich |