Apple and rumours are like two best friends that always walk with each other. Whenever we see the launch of a new iPhone, the speculations, rumours and concept for the next iPhone also begin to surface. The launch of iPhone 7 and 7 Plus is no exception to that. The reports of the next model (Apple iPhone 8) have also started surfacing.
Some of them are so far-fetched that it is hard to believe that they can become a reality in the coming year. The most important thing is that it will most probably be named iPhone 8. There are reasons behind this and we will explain everything later. But first, let us take a look at some of the recent models and what did they offer.
iPhone 6S: – The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are the predecessors of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and they look identical as no difference was made in the design, body and finish. However, 6S was far more ahead of the iPhone 6 in terms of what was inside the body. To begin with, it featured a new, strengthened chassis which was made with a stronger aluminium alloy.
It was powered by Apple A9 chip clocked at 1.84 GHz, which was around 70% faster than the former A8. 2 GB RAM was the first ever in an iPhone. iPhone 6S upgraded the 8 MP rear camera from its predecessor to a 12 MP camera. The front camera was also upgraded to a 5 MP camera. One more thing which was introduced with the 6S was 3D Touch. It is a touchscreen which is sensible to pressure. The only difference between 6S and 6S Plus was that the Plus variant offered a larger full HD screen as well as a bigger battery.
iPhone 7: – The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are the latest entrants in the iPhone series. Its design is similar to that of iPhone 6S however, it does have a new colour variant – Jet Black. Water and dust resistance have been added to these models to compete with the Android counterparts. But the biggest, most noticeable change is the removal of the standard 3.5 mm audio jack.
It also sports a quad-core A10 chip which is clocked at 2.34 GHz. 3 GB RAM is offered only in the Plus variant whereas its younger sibling had 2 GB of the same. The rear camera is still 12 MP whereas the iPhone 7 Plus has a better dual-camera. The front camera has also been upgraded to 7 MP in both the phones. Apart from the camera and RAM, the iPhone 7 Plus also has a larger full HD display along with a bigger battery.
Apple iPhone 8: Design Concept
According to numerous reports surfacing on the internet, the design of the iPhone 8 will see a complete overhaul. Apple is getting sick of people complaining that all the iPhones look alike. They might make iPhone 8 with curved edge display! Jony Ive, Design Chief, Apple recently said that he wants the iPhone to look like, “a single sheet of glass.” This could also mean that Apple might actually let go the home button.
It might be integrated into the touchscreen. It is also possible that they could opt for a glass back like the one used by its counterpart in Sony Xperia Z5.
Take a look at iPhone 8 Concept Video
iPhone 8 Images, Design and Look
As we mentioned earlier, the biggest change that we might notice in the iPhone 8 will be in terms of its design. A Curved screen, removal of the home button and an edge that displays necessary information; Sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it? It is also possible that Apple might put a premium ceramic finish on the table. OnePlus did it and worked pretty well for them. It might do wonders for Apple as well. Audio jacks are gone and they’re gone for good. It is highly unlikely that Apple will bring them back. Take a look at some of the concept pictures: –
The iPhone Series: From 1st Gen iPhone to iPhone 7
iPhone is a series of smartphones which are designed as well as marketed by Apple Inc. They all run on iOS, a mobile operating system designed and developed by Apple itself. But I guess you all already knew that, right? Anyways, let us scroll down the memory lane and see all the nine generations, as well as the model of iPhones, launched till date.
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After having a look at the above table, you must be wondering that according to the trend that Apple has been following since the last couple of years, it feels like the next iPhones would be named 7S and 7S Plus. It means that you were not giving proper attention to the serial numbers mentioned along with the models. Look carefully, the serial number along with the last entry says 10. Yes! 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the iPhone series.
This is why we have such a huge expectation from Apple that they will surprise us with something out-of-the-box. That is more than enough reason for Apple to roll out something big and surprising. Our NBT team believes that this surprise will include skipping the customary S upgrade and going straight to iPhone 8.
If you are still not convinced with us, what if we say that an Apple employee has already mistakenly revealed that the next iPhone will be iPhone 8? Yes, you read that right. An Apple employee accidently spilled the beans that the next iPhone will be iPhone 8 when talking to a journalist from Business Insider. This happened at the Apple office in Herzliya, Israel. He said that the staff in Herzliya office work on ‘new products’ and he specifically mentioned ‘iPhone 8’ by name. Read the complete report here.
Before moving on towards the iPhone 8 specifications, let us take a brief look at the previous models which brought with themselves some major changes.
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The first iPhone was a GSM phone which had a touchscreen. It was introduced in 2007 and was declared obsolete in 2013. The next iPhone was the iPhone 3G which, as the name suggests, brought support for 3G. It was introduced in 2008. iPhone 3G was followed by iPhone 3GS which was launched in 2009. It was basically a pumped up version of the previous models. In 2010, the iPhone 4 came out with some major changes. These included a new metal chassis, a front camera and a higher resolution screen.
2011 introduced the iPhone 4S to the world with improved hardware along with added support for voice assistant – Siri. In the following year, iPhone 5 was launched. This was the first iPhone which had a larger (4-inches) display. Apple launched the iPhone 5S with a fingerprint reader in 2013. Along with iPhone 5S came the iPhone 5C. This was the cheaper variant of the iPhone 5 which had a plastic body instead of the metal one. In 2014, Apple unveiled the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus with a much larger display measuring 4.7-inches and 5.5-inches.
The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus were introduced in the following year with a better 12 MP camera, 2 GB RAM and 3D Touch. In 2016, Apple introduced the iPhone SE (Special Edition). It had the same specifications as the iPhone 6S but had a smaller screen (4-inches). The latest entrants in the iPhone family – iPhone 7 and 7 Plus came out later in the same year. They were very different from the previous iPhones. Firstly, they were water-resistant (IP67). They also had a new colour option – Jet Black, a dual-camera (Plus variant only) and they did not have the standard 3.5mm audio jack.
Now, let us proceed to the dessert, i.e.
iPhone 8 Specifications
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The above-mentioned specifications look great but we would be proud if Apple would go an extra mile for us. First of all, we would love to see a QHD display on both the variants. The next thing where Apple is lagging behind its Android counterpart is the RAM. The iPhones would be cracking if they started rolling out with 3 GB and 4 GB RAM variants. Storage on the iPhones is enough however, it seems like a 512 GB variant is needed keeping in mind 1 TB SD cards are going to hit the markets very soon. The battery is also one thing that leaves the iPhone users crying.
iPhone 8 Features
Display: As we mentioned earlier, there is a high probability that Apple might completely redesign the iPhone 8. The fingerprint reader might be integrated with the touchscreen. The curved OLED screens are very much in trend now and Apple just might follow the trend.
Battery: Apple may opt for a much bigger battery in order to provide enough juice to support the FHD and the QHD displays. Also, they will need a greater capacity battery as the A11 will most likely be clocked somewhere around 2.5 GHz. Such a high-powered chip will demand more power and Apple will deliver it.
Wireless Charging: This feature is becoming quite popular across the world. First introduced to the smartphone world by Samsung in 2015, this feature later spread like wildfire in a haystack. It is also possible that Apple too might offer this feature with the iPhone 8 at an extra price. Nothing comes free with Apple. Ain’t that right?
Touch Button: It has been in the rumours from quite a long time that Apple might omit the physical home button. It syncs completely with Jony Ive’s desire which involved “single piece of glass” for the iPhone. So there us nothing wrong in expecting a touch button in the iPhone 8.
Water and Dust Resistance: The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are water and dust resistant. They are IP67 rated. However, the S7 Edge, their Samsung counterpart is rated IP68. Since Samsung and Apple are arch-enemies, it is possible that the Apple too may produce IP68 rated iPhone 8. Or maybe in order to get ahead of the competition, an IP69K rated iPhone 8? That can become its USP!
Hey, this not irrational!? Who thought Apple might let the headphone jack go? Nobody, right? Expect the unexpected guys as this is the tenth anniversary of the iPhone!
iPhone 8 Price
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I think expecting a slight increase in the price is alright. If we can expect from Apple to provide us more, then Apple also has the right to expect us to pay them more.
iPhone 8 Upcoming Updates and Rumors
- Recently, many reports have surfaced which say that the upcoming iPhone 8 and 8 Plus will feature a curved OLED display. Now, Forbes too has joined the list and agree with everything that we just mentioned. Have a look at what they said here.
- The latest update relating to the iPhone 8 subject matter is the patent that Apple has got. This patent could be the key to the final elimination of the physical home button in the iPhone. Read the complete details here.
- October 27 Update: A report by a Japanese news website suggests that the iPhone will come in three different size variants. These will be 4.7″, 5″ and 5.5″. Check the complete report here.
After the much controversial removal of the audio jack, the reports suggest that Apple may remove the lightning port. It is believed that with the introduction of Wireless Charging, the lightning port will become unnecessary and hence will be gone. Apple has already said it wants the world without the wires and it looks like that just might become a reality with the iPhone 8.