After the release of the OnePlus 5, the scene is now set for the iPhone 8 release, undoubtedly the most important smartphone of the year. This will be a particularly important iteration of the iPhone 8 for Apple, as the consumer electronics giant is looking to mark the tenth anniversary of the iPhone range with a particularly powerful mobile.
iPHone 8 release date
There has already been some debate over the iPhone 8 release, with the media picking up on a report originally published right here on ValueWalk in particular. It was noted at the time that a social media leak from China had suggested that the 2017 iPhone 8 may be shelved completely. Deutsche Bank and then Business Insider both ran with this story, as the iPhone 8 release certainly seemed doubtful at that time.
Other reports since then have indicated that a dearth of OLED display panels could see the iPhone 8 delayed until the fourth quarter of the calendar year. A note by analyst Timothy Arcuri from Cowen and Company also suggested that Apple is experiencing logistical difficulties with the Touch ID sensor, and that this could also result in iPhone 8 release delays.
But the likelihood is that Apple will overcome its technical difficulties and deliver an iPhone 8 smartphone on schedule. This means that a September release date is most likely for the iPhone 8, although Digitimes has suggested that despite the fact that production is back on track, Apple will actually release the iPhone 8 in October. This will be a departure from the September release date that has been common in recent generations.
Price
Reports on the iPhone 8 release have suggested that this smartphone may break through the psychologically important $1,000 barrier. This would certainly be a big deal for consumers, meaning that the iPhone 8 is the most expensive phone that Apple has produced. However, it should still be possible to purchase the smartphone-sized version of the iPhone 8 for less than $1000, with murmurings suggesting that it is the highest-spec model that will retail at this somewhat eye-watering price tag.
Display
While Apple has been somewhat reluctant to increase the resolution in the iPhone range, reports from close to the Apple supply chain suggest that this may change with the iPhone 8 release. It is believed that Apple is working behind the scenes on a 5.8-inch screen for the iPhone 8 that will blow away the LCD variants utilized in previous handsets.
Not only will this screen be based on the OLED technology that has proven to be so popular for Samsung, but it will also be the first ever curved display produced by Apple. The smart money is on the iPhone 8 featuring the wraparound design that debuted in the Galaxy S8 earlier this year.
Meanwhile, reports increasingly suggest that this will be a quad HD display, which will be extremely welcome considering that Apple has fallen somewhat behind its competitors in screen resolution.
Design
Central to the design of the iPhone 8 release will be an all-glass construction which will effectively rebooted the iPhone concept. With the front panel of the device being almost completely dominated by the display, this will be an almost entirely bezel-less handset, particularly in comparison to last year’s iPhone 7.
Dummy model
Supporting the rumors about the screen to be included in the iPhone 8, along with the design, 9to5Mac has obtained footage of a purported iPhone 8 dummy model. This video confirms many of these suspicions of analysts, by comparing the extremely slimmed down bezels of the iPhone 8 to the existing iPhone 7 Plus.
This supposed iPhone 8 also confirms the full-screen wraparound design that has been strongly linked with the smartphone, while other physical aspects are also evident. These included the dual-cameras that have been strongly linked with the iPhone 8, and it seems that the front-facing Touch ID system will indeed be integrated within the screen.
No Home button
Another interesting occurrence of this week involved in a UK retailer beginning to sell accessories for the forthcoming iPhone 8. The ‘Olixar iPhone 8 Full Cover Tempered Glass Screen Protector’ is being offered by MobileFun, with the design of this peripheral seemingly confirming the curved display of the iPhone 8.
It also seems from this early accessory that the iPhone 8 release will signal the demise of the physical Home button. This has been strongly suspected by many of the most respected Apple analysts, with the design of this peripheral suggesting that an integrated fingerprint sensor is likely.
Wireless charging
It is also expected that Apple will include wireless charging in the next-generation iPhone 8, with the Californian corporation currently working on implementing a particularly advanced system. It has been widely reported in the media that Apple will include a unique wireless charging system in the iPhone 8 which enables users to charge their phones at a previously unimaginable 15 feet.
And Robert Hwang, CEO of Wistron, has already effectively confirmed that the iPhone 8 will indeed include wireless charging. This is significant as Wistron is centrally involved in the construction of Apple smartphones.
“Assembly process for the previous generations of [iPhones] have not changed much though new features like waterproof and wireless charging now require some different testing, and waterproof function will alter the assembly process a bit,” Hwang commented recently, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.
Other features
The dual-camera included in the iPhone 8 release is set to be a standout feature. This will probably also deliver face-scanning technology alongside augmented reality functionality, with the latter offering gaming features. While Apple will also make improvements to the processing power of the device, with a new A11 chipset being included. iOS 11 will also feature an improved Siri personal assistant.
All of the information available points to an almost reboot of the iPhone when the iPhone 8 release occurs, but consumers should get their hands on one as soon as possible, as BlueFin Research Partners claims that stock will be minimal once the smartphone is released.
