iPhone 8 release date | iPhone 8 features, specs | iPhone 8 rumours
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iPhone 8 release date | iPhone 8 features, specs | iPhone 8 rumours
Forget the iPhone 7, it's the iPhone 8 which you'll be more interested in. Set for a 2017 release date to celebrate the iPhone's 10th anniversary, here's what the rumours say about the iPhone 8 UK release date, features and specs.
10 years of iPhone mean one thing: the iPhone 8 should be the best iPhone update yet. Here's what to expect from the next iPhone
By Chris Martin | 21 mins ago
The iPhone 7 has only recently been announced, but all we seem to be hearing are rumours about the iPhone 8. We think Apple might well be holding back some major updates and improvements for the iPhone 8, which will be launched on the 10th anniverary of the first iPhone. Here we round up the rumours about the iPhone 8 release date, features and specifications. See also: Best phones 2016.
Hang on a minute, shouldn't the next iPhone be the iPhone 7s? Well, technically, yes. But this one is said to be such a big and important upgrade that we can't see Apple giving it what is in essence a point upgrade. There are some rumours the next iPhone could even be called simply The iPhone, or iPhone Pro, but for now we'll stick to calling the 2017 iPhone the iPhone 8.
Update 19 September 2016: One of those big, new features tipped for the iPhone 8 is wireless charging - but not just bog-standard wireless charging.
More weight has been added to the theory that the iPhone 8 will have wireless charging with evidence that Apple is working with Energous. According to VentureBeat, upon studying Energous' latest prospectus it has unearthed a section directly referencing Apple: the subsection is "entitled Industry Certifications, and along with the expected listings like Underwriters Laboratory and FCC approval, is a final, curious inclusion: Apple compliance testing. Apple is the only company singled out in a list that otherwise contains industry-wide and legally required certifications." VentureBeat comes to the obvious conclusion that the WattUp reference design in question would undergo compliance testing at Apple only if Apple was evaluating its use in one of its portable devices.
What's interesting about this specific charging technology is that it doesn't depend on a wireless charging mat or dock, but rather the signal can travel up to 15ft, and can charge up to 12 devices at once.
iPhone 8 release date rumours: When is the iPhone 8 coming out?
iPhone 8 UK release date: September 2017 (TBC)
It's a bit early to talk about the iPhone 8 release date. It's not necessarily even going to be called that. However, for now that's the name we're using to keep things simple and the iPhone 8 will be the new flagship smartphone for Apple in 2017.
If tradition continues, the iPhone 8 release date will be in September 2017.
However, the release date isn't quite as easy to predict as normal. 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the original iPhone launch, so we wouldn't be too surprised if Apple mixed things up a bit.
iPhone 8 or iPhone 7S or something else? What will the iPhone in 2017 be called?
As we've mentioned, the iPhone for 2017 is unpredictable because of it being a big anniversary for the smartphone.
If Apple follows the usual pattern, the iPhone 7 will launch this year and will be followed by the iPhone 7S in 2017. The fact that it's 10 years since the original iPhone means this could all go out the window. Apple will want to do something special to celebrate the occasion so an 'S' model, which usually just brings small tweaks, won't really suffice.
There are many options including the possibility of another iPhone 6S model this year so the 2017 model is the iPhone 7, or the iPhone 7 does get launched this year then Apple jumps straight to the iPhone 8 next year.
It's pretty much anyone's guess at the moment, hence, we're calling the 2017 model the iPhone 8 at the moment but it's perfectly plausible that the new phone won't conform to the traditional naming system at all. The iPhone SE (special edition) is already a thing so perhaps Apple will go with 'iPhone Pro', iPhone Anniversary Edition' or even just 'iPhone' – although naming the iPad 3 as 'the new iPad' didn't go down too well.
A recent report from Nikkei suggests that in 2017 there will be a total of three new iPhone models. It looks like we're in for the usual 4.7- and 5.5in models (the regular and Plus) but the third will be an interesting 5.5in or above with a curved screen.
The source who is familiar with Apple's plans says the screen will be "bent on the two sides" making it sound like a Galaxy S7 edge and Note7 rival, not completely curved as some rumours have suggested.
In fact, Samsung is rumoured to be Apple's sole OLED supplier next year but it will be unable to meet demand for its customers and its own phones. Foxconn, Apple's regular manufacturer, has supposedly been working on developing glass casing technology with the aim of securing 2017 orders.
Vote in our poll to let us know what you think Apple will name the iPhone next year.
iPhone 8 specs and new features
If Apple does indeed do something special for the iPhone's 10th anniversary, which seems likely based on iPhone 7 rumours, the iPhone 8 will be one which fans will no doubt want to upgrade to on launch day. Could we see the biggest queues ever?
A combination of design and hardware changes will make the iPhone 8 the most radical new iPhone to date, going by the rumours and leaks anyway.
Jony Ive has wanted to introduce an iPhone which resembles a single sheet of glass for a long time and the 2017 anniversary iPhone could be the one. It's rumoured that at least one iPhone in 2017 will use a glass body, according to Apple supplier Catcher Technology. Glass on the front and back would make it like a hugely updated version of the iPhone 4S.
This, combined with the rumour that the iPhone 8 will sport an edge-to-edge OLED screen makes things rather interesting. And we're not just talking the side edges, as Apple may even go as far as to do away with the top and bottom bezels. The physical home button would be gone and the TouchID fingerprint scanner would be housed within the screen.
A patent filed back in March 2015 states: "The man-machine interface device comprises an electronic display apparatus that is capable of presenting graphic text, images, icons, and other data typically shown on a screen, while further including a transparent finger touch sensor region that is seated above the display apparatus."
Using a flexible OLED display technology will allow the iPhone 8 to be thinner and give a similar effect to the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. It should also consume less power while offering better contrast and colour reproduction. Apple already uses an OLED display for the Apple Watch.
This concept image via ConceptsiPhone shows what it might look like.
As pointed out by Patently Apple, the firm has filed and been granted patents which may well be used on the 2017 iPhone. They suggest a curved-glass design and also that the sides of the phone could be used for virtual active buttons. For example, this could be used for certain controls when the camera app is in use. If true, the phone would rival Samsung's edge screen features.
There are plenty of other rumours and expectations for the iPhone 8 including an A11 processor built on a 10nm process. It's also thought that the new iPhone for 2017 will feature wireless charging for the first time and possible biometric features such as facial recognition or iris scanning. If the latter is true, the retina scanner could complement or replace Touch ID, though replacing it is a clear possibility if Apple does as is expected and removes the home button.
The iPhone 8 will reportedly not have a home button. Or not a physical one, at least. A report by Bloomberg mentions that as part of the phone's major redesign - which will focus on screen tech - Apple will ditch a physical home button. The reason is unclear, but it would lead to a sleeker look.
Yet another new revelation is that the iPhone 8 could capture the fingerprint and possibly photos of a thief who stole it. AppleInsider has reported on a patent filed back in April which describes a way of storing biometric data when an unauthorised user is detected. It could be used to identify the person responsible and in turn lead to information which could be used to recover the stolen device. It's unclear exactly how Apple could use the technology, but the patent also talks about machine learning, so it could be intelligent enough to figure out that it's simply your child attempting to unlock your phone and play a game.
More weight has been added to this wireless charging theory with evidence that Apple is working with Energous. According to VentureBeat, upon studying Energous' latest prospectus it has unearthed a section directly referencing Apple: the subsection is "entitled Industry Certifications, and along with the expected listings like Underwriters Laboratory and FCC approval, is a final, curious inclusion: Apple compliance testing. Apple is the only company singled out in a list that otherwise contains industry-wide and legally required certifications." VentureBeat comes to the obvious conclusion that the WattUp reference design in question would undergo compliance testing at Apple only if Apple was evaluating its use in one of its portable devices.
What's interesting about this specific charging technology is that it doesn't depend on a wireless charging mat or dock, but rather the signal can travel up to 15ft, and can charge up to 12 devices at once.
There's a long way to go yet so stay tuned for more iPhone 8 details and rumours.
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