Apple’s new iPhone: What we know so far
Applle will launch the i{hone 8 on September 12 in the US. Photo: Twitter
The next iPhone is being launched in September – but despite Apple’s Pentagon-level of secrecy, the company’s manufacturing supply chain has leaked details about the new handset like a sieve.
A number of leaks have also come from Apple directly, hidden deep in software code for upcoming devices, like HomePod.
Despite the early reveals, the formal announcement carries more expectation than any other ever, being the 10th anniversary of the company’s first iPhone release in 2007.
Strap in and take a look at what we know.
What’s in a name?
iPhone 7s, iPhone 8 and iPhone X are all supposed names for the new handset, with iPhone 7s being the most logical progression after 2016’s iPhone 7 release – following the company’s two-year update cycle.
Sources also point to the announcement of a special, limited edition iPhone alongside the updated release. Considering the company has adopted the ‘Pro’ moniker for other device lines, there’s a real possibility this anniversary edition will simply be named iPhone Pro.
Much the same as a Blu-ray movie release, you can expect the new ‘Anniversary Edition’ iPhone to offer a unique and limited colour or metallic finish, and the possibility of a few extra features.
The size options will include the standard 4.7-inch and the larger 5.5-inch Plus model, with the X/Pro model rumoured to be 5 inches.
Big, bright and brilliant
One such feature is the introduction of an OLED touchscreen; a supposedly brighter and more energy-efficient alternative to the standard Retina HD touchscreen found in the most recent iPhone models.
In the past (2013), Apple CEO Tim Cook has quashed ideas of the company using OLED touchscreens, saying: “you should really think twice before you depend on the color from a OLED display.”
However, as technology has advanced in the intervening years, issues like over-saturation and power consumption at maximum brightness have been addressed, making it a viable choice for Apple.
While the option of an OLED touchscreen would see the company fall in line with a number of its competitors, it would also mean a jump in handset price – more on that later.
While we’re on the topic, images found in developer code show the removal of the Home button – a staple since the very first model – has seen an increase in screen real estate to produce a bezel-less display that extends to all four edges of the device.
Security-minded
Formerly housed in the Home button, Apple’s fingerprint scanning technology, Touch ID, may now be incorporated into the Apple logo on the rear of the smartphone; bringing iPhone design in line with competitors, like Samsung and Google.
A video recently posted to Chinese microblogging site, Weibo, shows a quality control employee at a plant in China depressing the Apple logo on the back of an unidentified Apple device (supposedly the new iPhone) to test the fingerprint scanner.
That said, considering Apple recently received a patent to incorporate fingerprint scanning tech into the power button of a smartphone, it is equally possible Touch ID will now sit on the side of the new iPhone.
Another rumoured security feature is a facial scanner: Face ID. Quite simply, the iPhone’s forward-facing cameras will scan a user’s face to determine their identity and enable features like Apple Pay, iTunes purchases or simply unlock the handset.
Cutting cables
Wireless charging is a feature found in many existing premium smartphones, and now looks set to make an iPhone debut.
Sources claim Apple has incorporated the Qi standard of wireless charging technology into the new iPhone, giving users the opportunity to use one of the many third-party chargers currently available, alongside anything the company itself produces.
However, another source claims that wireless charging will actually be an optional add-on; a dongle or adapter purchased separate to iPhone.
Apple is expected to announce the new iPhone on September 12, with devices available from mid-October.
Pricing for the 4.7-inch is expected to start at $A1100, increasing from there with memory and handset size. The 5-inch X/Pro model is rumoured to be in the realm of $A1450.
Will you be upgrading to the new iPhone in October? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.