iPhone 8

KGI: all 2017 iPhones to have wireless charging, iPhone 8’s 3D Touch pricier to build

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 9, 2017

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted in a new note to clients, obtained by MacRumors, that all new models of iPhone introduced this year would feature wireless charging. In addition, the report cautions that production costs of iPhone 8's enhanced 3D Touch module might rise between 30 and 50 percent.

A report yesterday by FastCo stated Apple would pass any increased production costs stemming from iPhone 8's OLED screen and other hardware advances onto the consumer, speculating that the final sale price of iPhone 8 could pass $1,000 in US.

The next iPhone could cost more than $1000

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 28, 2017

Apple is planning to launch a special 10th-anniversay iPhone this year that will likely cost more than $1,000, reports Fast Company. Citing sources with knowledge of Apple's plans, the site says an OLED display and other new features will push the handset's price tag higher than ever before.

As has been previously rumored, the source says the new display will measure 5.8-inches diagonally and stretch across the entire front of the phone, framed by forged stainless steel sides. Apple has been working to get rid of the physical Home button, and the side buttons may also go all digital.

OLED for iPhone 8 could add $50 million to Apple’s March quarter expenses

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 30, 2017

iPhone 8, or 10th Anniversary iPhone as affectionately dubbed by the media, is expected to adopt the unrivaled organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display technology as utilized on Apple Watch screens and the new MacBook Pro's Touch Bar.

OLEDs are more difficult and pricier to produce than the traditional LCD panels so the decision to outfit iPhone 8 with an OLED-based screen could cost Apple approximately $50 million in incremental costs in the March quarter, according to an investor memo from Cowen & Company's Timothy Arcuri obtained Monday by AppleInsider.

DigiTimes: iPhone 8 to feature enhanced Siri capabilities

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 24, 2017

Apple's next-generation iPhone is expected to feature enhanced Siri capabilities, according to unnamed industry sources who spoke with Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes. The report states that other vendors aside from Apple are likely to launch new smartphones featuring artificial intelligence features as a means to ramp up market shares in 2017, including Samsung (their version of Siri is called Bixby), Huawei, LG Electronics and Xiaomi Technology.

KGI: iPhone 8’s 3D Touch may provide higher sensitivity and wider range of pressure levels

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 21, 2017

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted in today's research note that Apple may adopt a combination of fingerprint and face detection sensors to supplant Touch ID.

In another note to clients obtained by MacRumors, Kuo claims that iPhone 8 will debut an enhanced form of 3D Touch technology with higher sensitivity and a wider range of pressure levels.

KGI: iPhone 8 may supplant Touch ID with optical fingerprint & facial recognition sensors

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 21, 2017

iPhone 8 is widely expected to become Apple's first full-face handset as the company is rumored to have devised ways of integrating Touch ID into the display assembly. A research note by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a copy of which was obtained by MacRumors, claims iPhone 8 may sport a new biometric identification technology that would supplant the good ol' Touch ID system and make possible iPhone 8's rumored zero-bezel design.

Lite-On Semi rumored to supply fast wireless charging components for iPhone 8

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 19, 2017

According to a recent Chinese-language Commercial Times report cited by trade publication DigiTimes, Apple signed a component contract with supplier Lite-On Semi which should provide several parts that the iPhone maker needs in order to realize fast wireless charging on iPhone 8.

The Taiwan-based supplier has been tasked with building GPP bridge rectifiers that help reduce thermal issue and increase efficiency of wireless power transmission.

iPhone 8 said to use fixed flex 5.8″ screen with embedded sensors

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 18, 2017

Apple's next iPhone is expected to adopt a 5.8-inch wraparound AMOLED display that utilizes a fixed flex screen like Samsung's ill-fated Galaxy Note 7.

That's according to a note Cowen and Company analyst Timothy Arcuri issued to investors on Wednesday, a copy of which was obtained by AppleInsider. Arcuri refers to the so-called tenth anniversary iPhone as “iPhone X”.

The analyst claims the 4.7-inch iPhone 7s and 5.5-inch iPhone 7s Plus models may switch from LCDs to AMOLEDs, too, if Samsung Display is able to supply enough panels to Apple.

Rivals worried that iPhone 8 will gobble up the entire supply of OLED screens

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 17, 2017

Apple's 2017 iPhone refresh should include an all-new iPhone 8 model widely expected to ditch the traditional power-hungry LCD technology in favor of the power-sipping OLED screens. Given Apple's scale and pent up demand for a refreshed iPhone industrial design, Apple's rivals are now worried that the company will eat up all the available supply of small and mid-sized OLED panels. According to DigiTimes, Apple's competitors are now rushing to secure production capacity for OLED panels, which could cause shortages.

iPhone 8 rumored to feature increased IP68 water resistance like Samsung’s Galaxy S7

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 13, 2017

iPhone 7 files as Apple's first smartphone with IP67-rated dust and water resistance, but the next iPhone should be even more water resistant.

According to The Korea Herald on Friday, unnamed industry sources in the know have stepped forward saying iPhone 8 will feature the IP68 rating protection.

iPhone 8's improved water resistance is “part of drastic upgrades” marking the 10th anniversary of the device, sources told the Korean newspaper.

Apple to adopt forging process for iPhone 8 stainless steel frame

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 10, 2017

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted that iPhone 8 will be switching to an all-glass design akin to iPhone 4 with a stainless steel metal frame rather than aluminum. Today, trade publication DigiTimes shed more light on the matter.

Quoting supply chain sources, the report states that Apple will adopt a stainless steel forging process for the new chassis frame instead of the traditional CNC machining process although the metal frame will need to be further refined by CNC machining.

Report: next iPhone to feature Tap to Wake and fast charging

Cody Lee ∙ January 5, 2017

The next iPhone may feature Tap to Wake, fast charging and other new features, reports Forbes. The outlet spoke to noted tipster Sonny Dickson, who laid out what he expects from Apple's next handset.

First Dickson says the new iPhone will include a "Tristar 3, Hydra" chip, which manages the charging port and supports fast charging. He doesn't offer up any additional details, though, and notes that just because it supports the tech, doesn't mean Apple will utilize it.