iPhone 8 rumour roundup: iPhone X box leaked?

There are always murmurings and leaks about the next iPhone — even when the current one has just been pushed out of Apple‘s doors.

So it’s for this reason that we saw it fit to publish an iPhone 8 or iPhone 7S rumour roundup, gathering some of the more notable rumours and reports in one convenient location.

We’ll only really know what to expect when the phones are actually launched, but die-hard fans starved for info will definitely get their fix here.

Is it called iPhone X? – 7 September 2017

We’re less than a week away from the launch event, and the leaks continue to occur. This time, little-known website Let’s Go Digital claims that the premium iPhone will be called iPhone X.

The name emerged after Dutch network KPN apparently sent a package shot (seen in featured image) to the website’s Dutch edition as part of an advertorial. Legit? Only time will tell, but the name does make sense on one level, seeing that it’s the tenth anniversary of the iPhone.

Reveal date confirmed – 1 September 2017

The Wall Street Journal was indeed on the money yesterday, as Apple has now made its 12 September event official.

The Cupertino colossus has called on people to watch at 10am PDT (7pm SAST) for the “first ever event at the Steve Jobs Theater”.

Apple to introduce gestures in lieu of home button? – 31 August 2017

The Apple rumour mill continues to churn as the reveal window approaches. And the latest report claims that Apple is testing a gesture-based navigation system in lieu of a home button.

“With a crisper screen that takes up nearly the entire front, Apple has tested the complete removal of the home button — even a digital one — in favour of new gesture controls for tasks like going to the main app grid and opening multitasking,” Bloomberg wrote, citing images seen by the publication and insider sources.

It’s claimed that there’s a “software bar” in place of the home button, with an upward finger drag to “open the phone”. It adds that, while in an app, the same gesture can be used for multitasking. Sounds like BlackBerry 10 or MeeGo…

iPhones set for 12 September event – 30 August 2017

When can we expect Apple to drop the new iPhones? Traditionally, we’ve seen September and October reveal dates but now, the Wall Street Journal claims to have the goods.

The publication reports that we can expect a 12 September event for the new iPhones, citing “people briefed on its [Apple – ed] plans”.

Wireless charging for iPhones, new report claims – 29 August 2017

Wireless charging has been available on various smartphones for a while now, such as the Samsung range. But it looks like Apple will make the leap with its next phones.

According to Macotakara (via 9to5 Mac), the new iPhones will have built-in wireless charging. However, the source claims that it will top out at 7.5w, instead of the faster 15w in newer standards.

The Cupertino company might mandate that third-party chargers have MFi chips, so your bog-standard wireless chargers won’t work, the publication adds.

One of the iPhones to cost US$999? – 25 August 2017

We have a feeling that the premium, OLED-equipped iPhone is going to be pricey. But just how expensive could it be?

According to the New York Times, citing “people briefed on the product”, the premium variant will have a price in the region of US$999.

Other details gleaned from the article include confirmation of thin bezels, facial recognition and wireless charging.

Facial unlock feature confirmed in code? – 31 July 2017

We’ve been hearing rumours of iris or facial unlock technology on the new iPhones, and now, we’ve seen references to this tech in the HomePod’s firmware.

According to MacRumors, the firmware has numerous references to facial detection, as well as a reference to infrared technology. So we can reasonably expect an infrared camera on the front to help authenticate faces.

It wouldn’t be the first time we see infrared cameras on the front of a phone, with the Lumia 950 range, HP Elite X3 and, most prominently, the Galaxy S8, using them. In saying so, these phones only really used infrared cameras for iris scanning, while it sounds like Apple is using the technology for general facial scanning.

One of the most interesting leaks however, is the fact that Apple’s code also shows what could be the iPhone 8 screen design. And yes, it has a cutout at the top for the speaker grille and camera.

Me too. New bezel-less form factor as well pic.twitter.com/Y0RrSOk2OO

— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) July 31, 2017

Forbes claims finalised design for tenth anniversary iPhone – 24 July 2017

The respected publication says it has worked with case manufacturer Nodus to dive into Apple’s supply chain. As a result, it’s published what it calls a finalised hardware design.

We’ve got thin bezels of around 4mm on all four sides (extending to the top with a cutout for the speaker grille etc), a tall 5.8-inch display, stereo speakers and a lack of a headphone jack and home button.

As for the fingerprint scanner, it’s unclear whether Apple will attempt to slot this under the screen, but the company has made the power button larger. Forbes reckons that this could be a fallback location for the scanner (ala the Xperia series) if it can’t get the scanner under the display.

Other details claimed or confirmed by Forbes include a dual rear camera in a vertical arrangement, a new battery arrangement for better endurance in a smaller case and a rather expensive price tag. In fact, the publication claims it will be the most expensive iPhone ever, possibly starting at US$1100.

OLED iPhone only coming in November? – 17 July 2017

By now, the tipsters are entrenched in their claims that there will be three iPhones this year instead of two. But the mostly reliable Digitimes (via Economic Daily News) has reported that the third, OLED-equipped iPhone will be delayed.

It’s claimed that the variant has been delayed to November or December, with only a small quantity being available at launch.

It’s also claimed that Foxconn is responsible for “95%” of the orders for the OLED model, with Pegatron manufacturing a “small quantity” of the OLED variants as well.

OLED iPhone to lack Touch ID, according to analyst – 10 July 2017

We’ve previously heard word of 3D facial unlocking for the next iPhone, but where does that leave fingerprint authentication?

KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed that the OLED-equipped iPhone (one of three apparently set for launch) will lack Touch ID as a result of the new authentication method.

It’s a significant move by Apple if true, especially with the wealth of fingerprint-enabled apps out there right now. But the OLED iPhone is expected to pack a high screen/body ratio, with the home button being a virtual key, leaving no space for a sensor on the front.

Of course, the first solution would be to actually embed the fingerprint scanner under the screen (we hope Apple surprises us in this regard), but we haven’t seen manufacturers make much headway in this regard. Samsung opted to slap the scanner on the back of the S8 and is expected to do so again on the Note 8, owing to difficulty getting the scanner under the screen.

Then again, Qualcomm has announced under-screen fingerprint technology, expected to be a hit in 2018.

3D face unlock for next iPhone? – 5 July 2017

Apple popularised the current trend of fingerprint scanners, but could we see an alternative on the horizon?

Bloomberg, citing “people familiar with the product”, say that Apple is testing 3D facial authentication for an upcoming iPhone. The feature is apparently powered by a “new 3D sensor”, with iris scanning also being investigated to augment the authentication.

It’s claimed that the authentication can take place within a few hundred milliseconds, with the report adding that the iPhone doesn’t need to be held up to the face. Bloomberg says that the feature might not make it onto this year’s iPhone though.

Is this the front of the new iPhone? – 28 June 2017

The latest leaks, via Slash Leaks (with additional reporting by Forbes), seemingly point to an iPhone with super-thin bezels and a large screen.

The images show a panel with a screen that stretches from top to bottom, no cutout for the home button here. It’s also worth noting that the supposed panel only breaks at the top for an earpiece and front facing camera.

Next iPhones to feature wireless charging, claims supplier – 15 June 2017

Now that the current iPhones are waterproof, you’d expect that the successor would have the same capabilities, right? Apple supplier Wistron has confirmed this and another detail.

“Assembly process for the previous generations of [iPhones – ed] have not changed much, though new features like waterproof and wireless charging now require some different testing, and waterproof function will alter the assembly process a bit,” CEO Robert Hwang said, according to Nikkei.

iPhone 8, iPhone 7s to launch at same time? – 5 June 2017

We’ve seen a variety of interesting rumours since our last update, but a few “verified” tipsters on reddit have delivered a variety of interesting ‘leaks’.

Aside from Apple smart glasses and e-ink keyboards, the leakers say that Apple will launch the iPhone 8 and iPhone 7s at the same time. They also say that the iPhone 8 has the placeholder name of iPhone X, in reference to it being the tenth anniversary of the gadget.

They add that the iPhone 7s will have an aluminium body while the iPhone 8/iPhone X will have a glass body with wireless charging. The sources add that under-screen fingerprint scanners and iris/facial recognition will come to the all-new model as well.

Apple to use in-house graphics chip? – 3 April 2017

Apple already uses an in-house processor for its mobile devices, combining custom CPU cores with Imagination Technologies’ PowerVR graphics hardware.

However, Imagination has since confirmed that Apple is working on “a separate, independent graphics design” to reduce its reliance on the firm. In saying so, the winding down period is supposed to last between 15 months and two years. So expect Imagination’s GPUs to be inside the next iPhone yet.

Analyst disputes Lightning report, mentions three iPhones for 2017 – 3 March 2017

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has disputed a Wall Street Journal article that claims Apple will ditch the Lightning port.

Kuo says that Apple was expected to keep the connector across three iPhones in 2017. Yep, the analyst says that we can expect three handsets this year.

iPhone to ditch Lightning connector? – 1 March 2017

The Wall Street Journal, citing its sources, claimed that Apple will be ditching the Lightning connector.

“They said Apple would introduce other updates including a USB-C port for the power cord and other peripheral devices instead of the company’s original Lightning connector,” read an excerpt of the report.

However, it’s unclear whether this means replacing the Lightning port on the phone itself or replacing the bit of the power cable that goes into the power adapter.

iPhone 8/7S to feature Touch ID under screen, facial recognition? – 23 January 2017

We’ve already seen Xiaomi move the fingerprint scanner under the screen with the Mi 5s, but it looks like Apple is set on doing the same thing.

According to 9to5 Mac, citing prominent KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple wants a “zero bezel” design for an upcoming iPhone. This will apparently necessitate the fingerprint scanner moving under the screen as well. KGI adds that the OLED screen expected for the next iPhone might complicate production though.

Kuo also told the publication that Apple is working on facial recognition technology — not just iris scanning. But this seems to be a long-term, general project rather than something for the iPhone 8/iPhone 7S.

One iPhone 8/iPhone 7S model will have an OLED screen – 18 November 2016

Apple has been using LCD screens on its iPhones ever since the first device, but a notable analyst claims that one iPhone released in 2017 will be packing OLED tech.

According to MacRumors, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the OLED iPhone will have a 5.8-inch display but 5.1-inch or 5.2-inch “active area”. In other words, this could be something akin to curved edges or a wraparound display.

The analyst also predicts that Samsung could be the sole supplier of the display tech, ostensibly owing to its expertise on its own smartphones.

“Other than the OLED model, we expect Apple to launch new 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch TFT-LCD iPhone models,” Kuo concluded.

Featured image: Let’s Go Digital