Speculation is building around the iPhone 8, Apple’s bid to be a full-on sea change from the original iPhone. The question now is just how different it will be. Well, we may have just gotten an answer…at least if a historically solid leaker is right.
OnLeaks, which is generally fairly on-point, claims to have obtained the factory CAD files of the iPhone 8 and has posted a full render of it:
So, this is it… I guess… #iPhone8 renders + 360° video + size (based upon factory CAD) on behalf of @GearIndia https://t.co/cbggACbCh0 pic.twitter.com/FgNsoQfqRb
— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) May 9, 2017
— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) May 9, 2017
The renders are interesting (to say the least) for several major reasons. The first is that the “wrap-around” screen Apple wanted is apparently not quite there yet. It doesn’t quite touch the edges of the phone, but it does extend down around the bottom. Also curious is the fingerprint sensor, which is either under the screen or gone altogether.
Meanwhile, Forbes has a few links that indicate that the new phone will also separate the phone into distinct classes. The iPhone 8 will be the newest luxury item, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will become business class, and a fourth iPhone — the iPhone SE Series 2 — will serve as the budget option. According to rumors, the SE Series 2 will be an iPhone 6-like device designed for pay-as-you-go users, teenagers, and everyone else who wants into Apple’s ecosystem but can’t afford the likely expensive iPhone 8.
On top of that, we’ve also maybe just gotten some leaks about the newest phones’ release dates. Rumors previously had they iPhone 8 being released in October, but these new leaks suggest that they may be coming sooner:
Hirings and trainings for new iPhones production just started at Foxconn… 😏 #iPhone8 pic.twitter.com/vbvqhOSUmX
— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) May 11, 2017
According to my sources: DVT started last month. PVT will start between June and July. Final mass production in August for September launch. https://t.co/2M2YyMjyi8
— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) May 11, 2017
This isn’t all good news: As BGR reports, considering the thirst the iPhone 8 has already created, an earlier launch may not make that much difference. It’ll still be a while before most of us get the phone in our trembling little hands, early release or no.
A word of warning: These rumors are exciting and they are the best look we’ve had at the alleged new iPhones yet, but you should take them with a grain of salt. Apple is notoriously secretive about their newest devices (going so far as to ban certain types of bras on their factory floor), so these leaks could be wishful thinking. We won’t know for sure until later this year!
(Via Forbes)