Many consumers are looking at Apple as the time for a new iPhone is approaching. If Apple follows its usual announcement/release cycle, the new iPhone 8 will be announced in September. Before then, rumors about the device are going to be abundant, both real and fake. The main rumor that is being spread is that the main difference between the iPhone 8 and its predecessors is the display.
This September, it has been speculated that Apple will announce up three new devices: two modified versions of the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 plus, and a new “luxury” smartphone that may cost over $1,000. This price point has been set because the top model of the iPhone 7 plus costs more than $900. According to a Fast Company report, Apple may diverge from the traditional LCD displays and introduce an OLED display on the new models, which would make the production of the iPhone 8 much more expensive.
This upcoming iPhone model will represent the 10th year of the iPhone, leading many to believe that Apple will choose to name the new model the “iPhone X.” Several key differences that Apple may include in its new model is a larger size and design. The next major iPhone is rumored to measure 5.8 inches, making it slightly larger than the iPhone 7 plus. Along with a larger size and a new display, rumors suggest that the back of the new iPhone will be made of glass on the back and stainless steel on the sides, replacing the traditional aluminum body.
But, one of Apple’s most large-scale changes involves removing the Home button and replacing it with a button that is situated under the iPhone’s display, suggesting that Apple will use a fully touch interface. In fact, Apple may not include any physical models in the newest iteration of the iPhone. Instead, Apple is planning to use touch-sensitive portions of metals for the volume/lock buttons. On the bottom of the iPhone, Apple will include a virtual Touch Bar that would display buttons relative to the app the user is using. Furthermore, Touch ID will continue to exist as Apple will most likely implement an embedded fingerprint sensor into the screen. These new features may prove to initiate a new era of smartphones: one where buttons are no longer needed and the touch screen capabilities of the phone will allow a fully touch structure to be functional.
Apple’s innovative ideas continue to amaze consumers and Apple has been setting standards for the smartphone industry. Another new tactic Apple is deploying is releasing two new iPhone models that are more closely related to the iPhone 7 and iPhone plus, which will most likely be called the iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus respectively. Apple has usually released the “S” model of each main model after about 6 months of the previous phone’s release. By releasing all of these phones together, Apple is hoping to increase consumer interest and ultimately increase overall sales.
The actual display of the new iPhone will include a taller screen that would allow for a thinner frame and a better grip on the device. The pixel density on the new iPhone may be 528 ppi, a rather large upgrade from the iPhone 7. Apple is also planning to make watching videos much more enjoyable by only including 49 pixels that constitute the narrow black areas on either side of the screen.
The main concern of having a larger screen is that battery life may not be as high as previous generations and the new features that have been rumored to be part of the new iPhone model will be very power intensive. To compensate, Apple may give more room for a larger battery by adopting a stacked PCB mainboard. Coupled with possible wireless charging, the next iPhone may be the device that brings Apple back to the front of the smartphone district.
