iPhone 8: 8 specs we know so far

Just a week after Apple Inc. launched the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, rumours about the next generation of iOS smartphones are already making headlines with different iPhone 8 specs being revealed.

Apple’s 2017 smartphone, touted as iPhone 8, will be the 10th version of the best-selling iPhone. Industry watchers and consumers expect the iPhone 8 to be the best of its kind.

For those who are mulling to wait for the iPhone 8 release in 2017, here are rumoured iPhone 8 specs reported so far:

1. Long-distance Wireless Charging

After Apple eliminated the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7 series, the Cupertino, California-based tech company is expected to produce an iPhone 8 that can charge wirelessly. Wireless charging will allow iPhone 8 users to simultaneously use the Lightning Port for wired headphones and recharge the smartphone.

Wireless charging via charging mats has been a cutting-edge feature attributed to Android smartphones made by Samsung, Sony and Google. But unlike its competitors, Apple is exploring technologies that will enable iPhones to recharge remotely similar to Apple Watch. Proof of this is the fact that in 2010, Apple lodged a patent application over the concept of using an iMac as a hub for wireless charging using near-field magnetic resonance (NFMR). Under the technology, the devices can be arranged to receive power wirelessly from the NFMR power source within a distance of at least 1 metre.

2. All-Glass Enclosure

An all-glass iPhone is in the works after Apple’s patent application for a glass enclosure was approved Sep. 6. Under the technology, the glass enclosure will be formed using hollow glass tube or two class members bonded together. An all-glass enclosure will result into a water-resistant iPhone.

3. Ceramic Edition

After releasing an Apple Watch Series 2 built on ceramic, Apple is rumoured to be designing a ceramic edition for the iPhone 8. Since ceramic is reportedly four times harder than steel, Apple could be opting to use ceramic for a limited edition of its 10th anniversary iPhone model instead. Besides, ceramics is way cheaper and economical to use as it won’t scratch or tarnish.

If this rumour is proven true, Apple could release more colors for the iPhone 8 ceramic edition. Ceramic, particularly zirconia ceramics, can be pigmented to produce any colour or can be completely transparent.

4. Improved Speed with A11 processor

Apple is predicted to improve on iPhone 7’s A10 Fusion chip. Mac Rumors predicted that the tech company is designing a 10-nanometer A11 processor, which could support long-distance wireless charging and additional biometric security such as iris or facial scanning features.

5. No more Home Button with an Edge-to-Edge Display

Apple has long been working on a design revamp for the iPhone. Rumours have it that the upcoming generation of iOS smartphones could potentially use a edge-to-edge display. If Apple does, the iPhone 8 will no longer sport a physical Home Button, which doubles up as a fingerprint scanner, and instead employ a design that embeds the Touch ID sensor and the front camera directly into the screen’s display.

6. OLED Display

Various outlets reported that Apple has signed a deal with suppliers of flexible OLED display, the most popular of which is its archrival Samsung. The South Korean Android smartphone maker will supply 40 million of AMOLED panels to Apple starting 2017.

Apple has already been using OLED displays for the Apple Watch. In using OLED displays for the iPhone, Apple can do away with the backlighting panel used in traditional LCD displays. As such, Apple can produce a thinner and lighter version of the iPhone, and perhaps even a curved device like Samsung’s curved Galaxy models.

7. Digital Crown

The design of the next generation of iPhones and iPads could include a digital crown similar to those attached to the Apple Watch. Apple filed another patent application for a design utilizing a digital crown on a device that appears to be an iPad. If Apple is going to ditch the Home Button on the next iPhone, using a digital crown as a Touch ID fingerprint scanner could actually make sense.

8. iOS11

What could be a better way to introduce an anniversary phone than to launch it with the latest mobile operating system? Apple must be launching iPhone 8 equipped with iOS 11 to make the 10th year anniversary device a gadget to reckon with.

Apple’s iPhone 7 models hit retail stores Friday after the global pre-order period started on Sep. 9. Apple is yet to disclose its weekend sales following the launch. (Read: Apple confirms iPhone 7 Plus sold out)

In Australia, the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 costs at least $1,079 while the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus costs $1,569 minimum. Apple Store offers owners of previous iPhone owners trade-up options while Virgin Mobile offers the cheapest iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus post-paid deals. (Read: iPhone 7 price in Australia: Virgin Mobile offers cheapest iPhone 7 postpaid deals)

Considered as the first water-resistant iOS device, iPhone 7 hit stores shortly after Samsung Electronics initiated a global recall of its flagship Android device, Galaxy Note 7.