The 10th anniversary iPhone 8 is arguably the most anticipated iPhone ever. Leaks and rumors about the device have been flooding the Internet for months. In recent weeks, we have seen dummy videos and design molds popping up online. The iPhone 8 accessories are already on sale on Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba. Now a new leak has not only revealed the iPhone 8 dimensions, but also compared it to the current iPhone 7, 7 Plus, Galaxy S8 and S8+ models.
iPhone 8 to be thicker than both the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
The leak comes from iDropNews. The publication said it obtained the dimensions from “factory workers with intimate knowledge” of the iPhone 8. They confirmed that the 10th anniversary iPhone would be bigger than the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 in every dimension including thickness. Based on the dimensions obtained from factory workers, noted designer Benjamin Geskin created iPhone 8 renders exclusively for iDropNews and put it side-by-side with the current flagship iPhones and the Galaxy S8 family.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had predicted last year that the iPhone 8’s form factor would be similar to the iPhone 7 despite packing a bigger display. The image below shows the iPhone 8 placed between the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Notice how the upcoming phone’s display is even larger than the iPhone 7 Plus even though the phone is significantly smaller. It’s because of the edge-to-edge OLED display and no physical home button.
Sources told the publication that the iPhone 8 measures 143.59 x 70.94 x 7.57mm. That makes it slightly taller, wider, and thicker than the 4.7-inch iPhone 7, which measures 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1mm. The 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus measures 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3mm. It means the 10th anniversary iPhone will be even thicker than the 7 Plus. One thing that iDropNews didn’t mention is the iPhone 8’s weight. Considering it will be larger and thicker than the iPhone 7, we can also expect it to weigh more. The iPhone 7 weighs 138g and its 5.5-inch sibling weighs 188g.
The iPhone 8 is said to feature a 5.8-inch display, even though its overall form factor will be smaller than the iPhone 7 Plus. It has a higher screen-to-body ratio that any other iPhone till date, meaning a large screen device would fit nicely in your pocket. This could help Apple convince the current iPhone 7 and 7 Plus owners to upgrade to the 10th-anniversary device.
iPhone 8 is smaller and thinner than Galaxy S8
In the image below, you can see that the iPhone 8 is smaller than both the Galaxy S8 and S8+. The Galaxy S8 measures 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0mm and the S8+ measures 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1mm. The 10th anniversary iPhone 8 is smaller and slimmer than both of Samsung’s flagship smartphones. Its width is greater than Galaxy S8 but smaller than the S8+. Samsung’s flagship phones also come with an edge-to-edge OLED display.
The leak fails to reveal the placement of the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Some previously leaked renders had a circular cutout on the back panel for the fingerprint sensor, though the cutout could also be for the Apple logo. The Cupertino company has been facing technical difficulties integrating the fingerprint scanner into the display. If the company fails to fix the issues in time, it might have to relocate the Touch ID to the rear panel.
iPhone 8 release date
Benjamin Geskin, who created the above renders for iDropNews, recently posted a video of an iPhone 8 dummy, though he did not reveal the source of information on which the dummy was based. Last week, Geskin learned from his sources that Apple was planning to unveil the iPhone 8 on September 17, and launch the phone in key markets on September 25.
Information is not 100% confirmed yet.
— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) May 25, 2017
He clarified later that the release date was “not 100% confirmed yet.” Apple is unlikely to announce the device on September 17 and launch it on September 25. That’s because they fall on a Sunday and a Monday, respectively. The Cupertino company has traditionally launched the iPhones on Fridays, not Mondays. Also, there have been speculations that the iPhone 8 might not arrive until October/November due to production issues. Even if Apple manages to launch the 10th anniversary iPhone in September, it will be available only in limited numbers.
iPhone 8 price to have little impact on sales
The iPhone 8 is going to be the most expensive iPhone ever. Apple is adding exciting new features such as augmented reality, 3D sensors for facial recognition, and an improved dual camera system to justify the higher price tag. UBS analyst Steven Milunovich predicts the 10th anniversary iPhone would cost you $870 for the base model and $1,070 for the highest storage variant.
Wall Street analysts expect the iPhone 8 to fly off the shelves upon launch, even if it costs nearly $1,000. The massive success of the iPhone 7 Plus is proof that users are not going to shy away from buying an expensive phone if it has new features worth its price tag. Credit Suisse analyst Kulbinder Garcha expects the iPhone 8 to account for at least 45% of the new iPhone sales during the second half of this year.
