We’ve got a while to wait until the iPhone 8 (if that’s what it ends up being called) but the rumours are stacking up already.
There’s been a lot of talk about the next Apple handset’s design, following a rather lacklustre effort from Apple with the iPhone 7’s case, which closely resembled its predecessor.
While the biggest rumour doing the rounds is that the iPhone 8 will feature a full-face OLED screen, a new research note from notable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, obtained by MacRumours, suggests another big design change.
According to Kuo, Apple will debut an all-glass handset in 2017, in order to support wireless charging technology from Pegatron.
The switch to an all-glass case will allow Apple to get around some of the issues that arise when a metal case is used with wireless charging tech, as the metal can often limit charging speed due to low wireless frequency tolerances.
As MacRumours points out, Apple’s Chief Design Officer, Johnny Ive, is also said to have wanted to introduce an iPhone that looks like a single sheet of glass for some time.
As Kuo writes in his note: “We believe one of the reasons why new iPhones will switch from metal casing to glass casing is to support wireless charging.
“In order to ensure a superior performance, we believe it is most appropriate for EMS suppliers to develop and make the wireless charger because then a comprehensive test can be conducted.
“As Hon Hai needs to deploy most resources to develop and produce OLED iPhone, we expect Pegatron will be the exclusive supplier of the wireless charger.”
Apple has long-been rumoured to be looking into wireless charging, despite the fact it has played down the technology’s usefulness in the past.
Earlier this year, the company was rumoured to be looking into extended wireless charging, which allows the phone to charge while further away from the charging station than existing wireless tech.
Foxconn was also reported as testing wireless charging modules last month, which were said to be designed for use in the upcoming iPhone – though whether they would make it into the handset was said to depend on a satisfactory yield rate.
Kuo says a wireless charger could come bundled with the iPhone 8, though he’s unsure about that. And while often right about Apple’s plans, there’s no guarantee his latest research note is entirely accurate.
At this point then, it seems likely Apple is considering wireless charging for its next smartphone, but it’s by no means guaranteed. Stay tuned for the latest.
Sourse: trustedreviews.com
Glass phone? Glass breaks. Style is one thing, wireless charging, will get better, but glass, is the trade off for wireless charging? Let the apple repair techs rejoice!$