Just a few days ago, Apple showed off iOS 11 to the world at its WWDC event. The software boasts of some exciting new features such as a new Control Center, peer-to-peer payments via Apple Pay, Do No Disturb While Driving, an improved Maps app, a smarter Siri, and revamped Apple Music. The 10th anniversary iPhone 8 will be one of the first devices to run the new operating system. Wondering what an iPhone 8 running iOS 11 would look like?
Here’s how iOS 11 looks on iPhone 8
Folks at iDropNews have released iPhone 8 renders running Apple’s new mobile operating system. The renders show the 10th anniversary iPhone with a nearly bezel-less display. There is a cutout housing the front camera, ear speaker, laser sensor and infrared sensor to support facial recognition and iris scanner. It contradicts some reports that the selfie camera would sit under the front display.
If Apple includes a cutout for the front camera and other sensors, there would be the screen on both sides of the cutout. It means app developers will have to optimize their apps to ensure that the cutout does not affect navigation or user experience. Another option is to black out or white out the portions of the display separated by the cutout and use that space for battery, signal strength, time and other icons.
The renders show what the iOS 11 would feel like on a device with bezel-less display and no physical home button. A couple of weeks ago, iDropNews had posted iPhone 8 renders based on information obtained from factory workers. Days later, a Foxconn insider said in a Reddit thread that the render was an almost accurate depiction of the actual device.
Vertical dual camera on the back, Touch ID on the front
The latest iPhone 8 renders have a vertically aligned dual camera system. The LED flash is placed between the two camera lenses. The vertical arrangement would help support augmented reality features. The back panel is made using composite glass to enable wireless charging. iDropNews claims the 10th-anniversary device will have a “large pad” on the inside to facilitate wireless charging through the glass panel.
Where will the fingerprint sensor be placed on the iPhone 8? The renders have the Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the OLED display. Some reports have claimed that Apple would relocate the Touch ID to the rear panel. According to the Foxconn insider who spilled the beans on iPhone 8, Apple had tested multiple prototypes. Some had the Touch ID embedded in the display while others had the feature on the back. While the in-display solution suffered from yield and manufacturing issues, Apple would not opt for the rear Touch ID.
ARKit has made Apple’s intent clear
Augmented reality will be a big part of the iPhone 8 upgrade. Apple has made a new set of tools called ARKit available to third-party developers. The ARKit would help developers build augmented reality experiences into their apps. The anniversary iPhone will have built-in hardware components and sensors to take full advantage of the AR games and applications.
The Foxconn insider has confirmed that facial recognition and retina scanner would be included in the “front facing camera modules.” The iPhone 8 is said to feature 3GB RAM and 128GB/256GB of internal storage. Unlike the iPhone 8, the iPhone 7S and 7S Plus would retain the aluminum unibody design. It means they are unlikely to offer wireless charging.
Will OLED panel cause a delay in iPhone 8 launch?
Korean site The Investor reported earlier this week that Samsung would start mass production of OLED panels “later this month” as Apple has approved the prototype panels. Samsung Display will be supplying 10 million OLED panels every month for the iPhone 8 this year. ValueWalk reported in April that Apple had inked a deal with Samsung Display for the supply of at least 70 million OLED screens.
The other component suppliers have also started scaling up production, said The Investor. TSMC, which is responsible for the supply of A11 chips, started producing Apple’s custom processors last month. A11 is said to power not only the iPhone 8 but also the iPhone 7S and 7S Plus. TSMC aims to have at least 50 million units of the chip ready by July-end.
The Foxconn insider told Reddit users that iPhone 8 production has indeed been delayed, confirming past rumors. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also said that the 10th anniversary iPhone wouldn’t hit the store shelves until October/November. Earlier this week, RBC Capital analysts said in a note to investors that volume production of OLED panels has been delayed by 1-2 months.
RBC Capital says there is still a chance that the iPhone 8 would hit the stores alongside the iPhone 7S and 7S Plus in September, but it will see only “limited availability.” Supply would improve only in mid-October/November timeframe. The research firm noted that the delay would not “change the demand dynamics for iPhones.” The iPhone 8 is expected to cost $999 for the 128GB model and $1099 for the 256GB storage variant.
