Although the iPhone 7 has yet to be released by Apple, at least some of the attention of the consumer electronics giant is already turning to the next generation iPhone 8. Media reports are already suggesting that Apple is working on incorporating new features into the iPhone 8, with the consumer electronics giant working closely with a company called Energous to develop wireless charging technology. It seems that wireless charging will be on the agenda for Apple in 2017.
iPhone 8 – Home button
Elsewhere, rumors persist that Apple will scrap the Home button when the iPhone 8 generation goes live, with a virtual alternative built into the display of the smartphone instead. This has been suggested on numerous occasions previously, but this latest report emanates from the New York Times, which suggests that the smartphone competitor will feature a “full-screen face” – i.e. bezel-free – with a new under-screen fingerprint scanner.
Material change
Another prominent report on the social discussion site Quora suggests that the next iPhone generation will utilize a stunning ceramic substance. The light, super-smooth, scratch-resistant compound is already being used in the new Apple Watch Edition and “alchemist and metaphysician” Brian Roemmele believes that this will now be introduced into the iPhone great unit 2017.
Roemmele particularly notes three Apple filings with the US Patent and Trademark Office that support his prediction. These collectively indicate that Apple has already developed techniques which could be utilized in the iPhone range. The most recent of these filings suggest that it will be possible for Apple to co-mold a housing for an electronic device from polymer. This comes from US patent application no. US20160255929, described by Apple as “an exploded perspective view of a housing for an electronic device”.
Dual-camera disappointment
However, those hoping that the next generation iPhone 8 will embrace dual-camera technology in each of its models may be disappointed. Legendary analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has already indicated his belief that Apple will retain the camera policy from the existing iPhone 7, and only release a phablet-sized version of the smartphone featuring this new technology.
Apple users had doubtless hoped that the consumer electronics behemoth would include a dual-camera technology in even the bargain basement iPhone 8, but perhaps Apple believes that this is not financially viable.
Wraparound screen
Finally, early reports on the iPhone 8 also suggest that the smartphone may feature a wraparound screen. There could also be a curved version of the iPhone 8, as Apple shakes up the visual design of its smartphone series for the tenth anniversary of the range. The completely redesign screen in the iPhone 8 would stretch across the entire front of the phone, meaning that such features as the menu button, speakers, microphone and camera would be integrated into the display itself.
Galaxy S8 coming
Meanwhile, the next major release in the smartphone marketplace is arguably the Galaxy S8, despite the fact that other device manufacturers have things planned before the Samsung flagship reaches the stores.
Curved displays ubiquitous
Considering the popularity of its curved display technology, it is believed that Samsung is considering producing nothing but models of the Galaxy S8 featuring this design. Notably the Korea Herald newspaper, a publication with strong links to the Samsung supply chain, suggest that the Korean electronics giant is purposely design is next generation device with only curved screen displays.
Dream prototype
Development of the Galaxy S8 is already very advanced within Samsung, with the two models of the Samsung smartphone being codenamed Dream and Dream2. It is believed that a dramatic redesign of the Galaxy S concept is part of the next generation devices, with more than mere tweaking anticipated.
This would be a timely decision from Samsung, considering that Apple is bound to attempt to produce something spectacular for the tenth anniversary of the iPhone range.
Wireless headphones
In line with this prediction, it is expected that Samsung will follow Apple’s lead and abandon wireless headphones for the Galaxy S8.
And with Apple rumored to be planning a radical new look for its tenth anniversary iPhone in 2017, it makes sense that Samsung wishes to unveil something spectacular. Samsung is believed to be developing its own proprietary port to replace the standard 3.5mm connector, so it will be interesting to see what the Korean reincorporation has in mind. Whether this would be well received by Android fans remain to be seen; certainly there has been something of a backlash against the decision by Apple to move to a wireless system.
Battery issue
Of course, the biggest problem that Samsung has faced in recent weeks has been the recall of the Galaxy Note 7 owing to massive problems with faulty batteries included in the device. While this probably affected a relatively small number of units, there is a doubt that it was a major embarrassment for the corporation, considering the number of smartphones which ultimately had to be recalled.
There is no doubt that Samsung will suffer financially as a result of this problem, and not merely in terms of the drooping of its share price. And it seems that the company is now considering moving the release date of the Galaxy S8 forward in order to compensate for this problem. Samsung has traditionally unveiled the Galaxy S8 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, but some sources in Korea are already suggesting that the Galaxy S8 could in fact pre-date this trade show.
4K at last?
Finally, some analysts have suggested that Samsung could consider introducing 4K resolution into the Galaxy S a range. This still relatively embryonic display technology has yet to be included in a mainstream smartphone, with Samsung having been expected to lead the way by many industry observers.
In many ways, it was expected that 4K would debut in the Galaxy Note series first, which has been Samsung policy in the past. But considering the problems that the corporation has been experiencing already with the Galaxy Note 7, it is possible that the flagship Galaxy S8 could receive 4K resolution first.
