Apple may introduce a revamped lineup of iPhones next year to include a new casing, a new curved display and wireless charging, according to reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities. Kuo’s predictions contradict his earlier report from which stated that Apple has no plans of releasing an iPhone with new screen technology until 2018.
Apple planning big changes
In 2017, Kuo expects an iPhone with a glass casing and curved AMOLED screen. Kuo states that an active matrix organic light-emitting diode or AMOLED will be the basis of the new iPhone screen. The note also says the new iPhone may sport a curved glass body on the front and back and metal sides.
“The ‘completely new form factor design’ will feature narrow bezels for a ‘more [comfortable] grip,’” Kuo wrote.
Apple’s upcoming handset could also tap wireless charging, which is an important shift for the tech industry. In all of Apple’s history, users of its devices have been required to plug their devices into a charger to refresh the battery. With wireless charging, users will be able to ditch the cord and instead will have to simply rest their devices atop a charging pad to get it charged.
How an AMOLED screen helps?
There are several advantages of AMOLED displays over LCD (liquid crystal display) screens, which are currently used in iPhones. The former are thinner, lighter and more flexible. Also they are more power-efficient, which means their battery life is longer.
Samsung already uses the new technology in its flagship Galaxy S7 devices. With AMOLED, iPhones would be on a more equal footing with the phones from the Korean firm. It should also help rejuvenate Apple’s slowing iPhone sales. In January, Apple reported that it saw little growth in iPhone sales in the last quarter and expects a downturn in the current quarter.
Kuo’s predictions follow the unveiling of the iPhone SE last week. The iPhone SE is a 4-inch device that features all the processing and photographic power of the larger iPhone 6s. Apple also unveiled the iPad Pro 9.7 alongside the new iPhone. This device is a smaller version of the 12.9-inch iPad released last year and sports a new display that dynamically adjusts its color temperature based on ambient light.
