iPhone 8

iPhone 8 concept roundup: Part I

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2017

Conceptual renderings and mockups of iPhone 8 have been increasingly feeding the rumor-mill in the absence of leaked components, to the point where they've become a major part of the excitement surrounding unreleased Apple products.

Taking rumors at face value, talented 3D artists and CAD addicts conceptualize what Apple's next handset might look like. More often than not their work is off the mark, but some of the concepts we've seen thus far are plausible and give us nice food for thought.

We asked our resident video editor Andrew O'Hara to create a short video summarizing some of the conceptual iPhone 8 renderings we've featured thus far here on iDownloadBlog.

Without further ado, watch our video roundup of iPhone 8 concepts and mockups.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKqCKdEGEPk

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The video features work by these artists and publications:

Steel Drake Techno Configurations Venlamin Geskin Imran Taylor Handy Abo Vergleich Benjamin Geskin ConceptsiPhone AlHasan Husni Vianney le Masne Computer Bild iFanr Martin Hajek

Part 2 of iPhone 8 concept roundup will explore additional iPhone 8 concepts.

On a recent conference call with Wall Street analysts and investors, Apple CEO Tim Cook has attributed what he believes to be “a pause” in iPhone purchases to the rumor-mill and leaks that have been proliferating earlier than usual this year.

“We’re seeing what we believe to be a pause in purchases on iPhone, which we believe are due to the earlier and much more frequent reports about future iPhones,” he said.

How do you like the conceptual artworks and 3D models highlighted in Andrew's video? Which is your favorite one, and why? Which one will we see, if any, come this fall?

Let us know by posting a comment below.

iPhone 8 said to offer Bluetooth 5 and wireless charging via Broadcom chip

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 3, 2017

JPMorgan said in yesterday's note to clients ahead of Apple's earnings report that iPhone 8 would implement support for the latest Bluetooth 5.0 standard and wireless charging via a Broadcom chip. Broadcom's chips support both PMA and Qi wireless charging standards, but it's unclear if iPhone 8 might use either of them or rely on Apple's custom version of these standards.

At any rate, Apple's business could add between $500 million and $600 million to Broadcom's annualized revenues, JPMorgan predicted. Though the note doesn't say which new iPhone models will pack wireless charging, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said before that all 2017 iPhones would offer this feature.

Galaxy S8 is the world's first phone with support for the new Bluetooth 5.0 standard, which promises to double the speed and quadruple the range. Bluetooth 5.0 also allows multiple devices to be used at the same time, meaning iPhone 8 could allow two users to watch a movie on the device with two sets of Bluetooth headphones.

Bluetooth 5.0 was certified by Bluetooth Special Interest Group back in June 2016. Apple is a promoting member of the organization with voting rights.

In February of this year, Apple joined Wireless Power Consortium, potentially giving some credence to rumors about wireless charging in iPhone 8. The Cupertino company is listed as a member on the organization's website.

There are currently 213 members of the consortium.

In 2016 year, 152 different brands registered a Qi-compliant product on the official Wireless Power Consortium website, up from 86 in 2015. The Qi protocol is currently used by more than 200 companies and is in 1343 products you can buy now. Apple Watch uses a bespoke version of the Qi wireless charging standard that’s incompatible with existing Qi chargers.

JPMorgan said this morning that there's a “high likelihood” that Apple will pre-announce and preview iPhone 8 at WWDC next month, ahead of its launch in the fall. But if you ask another investment firm—Deutsche Bank—no new iPhone 8 will arrive this year.

“Several supply chain reports have suggested that key component shortages and technical challenges could delay the release of a high-end iPhone 8 device this fall,” reads Deutsche Bank's report. “We believe this report further underscores the uncertainty around the timing of Apple's next-generation iPhone model”.

Photo: ON Charge magnetic wireless charging solution for current iPhones

JPMorgan—iPhone 8 announcement at WWDC; Deutsche Bank—no iPhone 8 until 2018

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 3, 2017

Multiple analyst reports and rumors have asserted that Apple's Tenth Anniversary iPhone, or iPhone 8, is going to be delayed because of manufacturing issues related to new components, but we still don't know by how long. A pair of conflicting reports from JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank offer very differing opinions regarding the handset's potential availability.

Basically, JPMorgan is telling clients that there is a “high likelihood” that Apple will announce iPhone 8 at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference next month. On the other hand, we have Deutsche Bank which on Sunday put out a research note, based on a questionable report from ValueWalk, saying iPhone 8 won't land until 2018.

“JP Morgan's Rod Hall first suggested iPhone 8 could be previewed at WWDC,” Business Insider's Kif Leswing wrote on Twitter this morning. The analyst is claiming that the Cupertino firm will preview its OLED-based iPhone in June ahead of its launch in the fall (in what KGI's Ming-Chi Kuo said would be extremely limited availability).

While Apple did announce the original iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 at WWDC, subsequent models were formally unveiled at fall events in September or October. Be that as it may, I don't think either of these reports is accurate to begin with.

Deutsche Bank's analysis in particular is based solely on a sketchy claim by ValueWalk.

Citing unnamed sources close to Foxconn, ValueWalk reported that Apple would delay iPhone 8 until 2018 over an apparent lack of orders for packaging materials. The iterative LCD-based iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus would arrive on schedule in the fall, it said.

The story prompted Deutsche Bank to predict the following:

Report suggests no new iPhone 8 this calendar year. As we have written in previous research notes, several supply chain reports have suggested that key component shortages and technical challenges could delay the release of a high-end iPhone 8 device this fall.

We believe this report further underscores the uncertainty around the timing of Apple’s next- generation iPhone model.

As mentioned, the investment bank told clients that it thinks the OLED-based iPhone 8 model might not release in 2017 at all. The problem is, Deutsche Bank trusts ValueWalk which lacks any track record in breaking major Apple news.

Even if it did have one, we'd need at least one independent publication confirm the report before we could jump to any conclusions. Apple sources components from multiple suppliers so the fact that it's ordered packaging for the iPhone 7s series from one supplier doesn't mean that iPhone 8 packaging won't come from a separate supplier.

Given the rumored manufacturing problems with iPhone 8, it's more likely that Apple will choose to pre-announce iPhone 8 this fall alongside the iPhone 7s/Plus announcements and then launch the OLED-based device in late October or November.

And if that's how things are going to play out, there's no reason whatsoever for iPhone 8 packaging to arrive alongside iPhone 7s packaging in June and spoil Apple's surprise. Last but not least, delaying iPhone 8 until 2018 would be a huge blow to Apple's bottom line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKqCKdEGEPk

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Take it from Apple's Tim Cook, who said on yesterday's earnings call with analysts and investors that earlier-than-usual leaks and rumors are hurting sales of current iPhones.

Here's what Cook said:

We're seeing what we believe to be a pause in purchases on iPhone, which we believe are due to the earlier and much more frequent reports about future iPhones.

Considering that consumers usually hold off on buying a new iPhone until they see the new model, Cook's remarks have merit and the fact that he actually blamed the hype machine for “a pause” in iPhone sales is pretty remarkable, if you ask me.

Make sense?

Mockups: all-glass iPhone 8 with stainless steel frame via Steel Drake

Leak: iPhone 8 manufacturing molds and another schematics sheet

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 12, 2017

Prolific leakster Benjamin Geskin today shared some new images on Twitter that appear to show CNC-milled manufacturing molds along with a technical diagram for Apple's upcoming iPhone 8. The images were obtained through SlashLeaks and, assuming genuine, probably taken by a factory worker. If anything, they serve as yet another indication that iPhone 8 will have vertically-stacked cameras and no Touch ID on the back.

Protective case from Chinese vendor hints at rounded water drop iPhone 8 design

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 28, 2017

This morning, Twitter account KKSneakLeaks posted an image of what appears to be a protective clear case for iPhone 8 created by Chinese manufacturer Beyond. The case is most likely based on leaked iPhone 8 schematics, alleged technical drawings, claimed production diagrams and CAD models.

As such, it may not be accurate at all. Be that as it may, the case features a cutout on the rear side for a vertically aligned dual-camera system while suggesting a front-facing Touch ID and pebble-like design.

New iPhone 8 schematic hints at wireless charging, vertically stacked cameras & no rear Touch ID

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 26, 2017

Multiple sources, including KK Leaks, OnLeaks and Benjamin Geskin, have tweeted out this claimed iPhone 8 schematic obtained from an unknown source. The alleged technical drawing may help cast light on some of the more prominently rumored features of the OLED-based device, namely wireless charging, a vertically aligned dual-lens camera on the back and—thankfully—no rear Touch ID. We cannot vouch for the legitimacy of the leaked diagram so you're advised to approach this report with some skepticism.

These renders conceptualize all-glass iPhone 8 with stainless steel frame

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 26, 2017

Last year, KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo speculated that nearly a dozen iPhone prototypes Apple's been testing in its labs probably include an iPhone 8 prototype with iPhone 4/4s-like design using chemically hardened curved glass on both its front and back.

To give you a visual idea of what an all-glass iPhone might look and possibly feel like, we're showcasing conceptual renderings created by artist Steel Drake. His work is a great attempt at visualizing a future OLED-based iPhone with the glass sandwich design held together by the stainless steel edges.

These are key iPhone 8 production issues plaguing Apple and its suppliers

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 25, 2017

Corroborating yesterday's report by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Asian outlet Nikkei said Tuesday that customers may in fact be unable to get their hands on Apple's upcoming iPhone 8 until late October or November at the earliest.

According to industry sources, volume production of so-called Tenth Anniversary iPhone has hit a snag as suppliers struggle to perfect key components including curved OLED panels, wireless charging components and miniaturized printed circuit boards, among other parts.

iPhone 8 dummy indicates Touch ID embedded in OLED display

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 24, 2017

Aside from publishing a purported drawing of iPhone 8's logic board this morning that's “only 70 percent accurate,” Benjamin Gasket this past week shared photos of a dummy CNC iPhone model obtained from a Foxconn source. Of note, it features a single cutout for a vertically aligned dual-camera system with no other cutouts on the backside.

This might indicate that Touch ID could be embedded into iPhone 8's OLED display, as previously suggested. As others have underscored, Benjamin Gasket's Twitter account may not be the most reliable source of Apple leaks so take this report with a big pinch of salt.

iPhone 8 could boast L-shaped battery and True Tone display, retain Lightning connector

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 24, 2017

Purported drawings of iPhone 8's logic board showing internal component layout leaked on the web Monday. The images indicate that Apple's upcoming flagship won't adopt USB-C after because the good ol' Lightning port can be seen at the bottom of the device. Other things we can infer from the images, allegedly obtained from a Foxconn source, include an L-shaped battery, a display with True Tone capability similar to that on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro and more.

KGI: iPhone 8 could launch in extremely limited supply in September

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 28, 2017

According to the latest KGI Securities research note Monday, Apple's iPhone 8 could be in extremely limited supply to end 2017. The note, obtained by MacRumors, blames the delay on significant hardware upgrades like a custom edge-to-edge OLED display panel, a redesigned thin-film 3D Touch module, 3D sensing cameras, ten-nanometer A11 Fusion processors and substrate-like printed circuit board.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo writes in the note that Apple's suppliers are now expected to ramp up production of the handset as late as October or November versus the usual August-September timeframe for a new iPhone. As a result, Kuo believes that iPhone 8 will launch in September to face “severe supply shortages” for some time.

3D model of iPhone 8 casing based on likely fake schematics depicts rear mounted Touch ID

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 21, 2017

A pair of purported iPhone 8 design drawings that “leaked” recently depict Apple's upcoming flagship as having a vertical dual-camera layout and a rear-mounted Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Today, these alleged schematics received a cool CAD treatment, courtesy of Instagram user bro.king. He went about creating a 3D model of a future iPhone with a rear-mounted Touch ID sensor, based on supposed technical drawings, and this is what he came up with.