• Home
• /
• Tech

The latest iPhone 8 rumours: Three devices to be launched? Free AirPods?

Dubai - All-glass design, independent AI chip and wireless charging said to be coming

If recent history is any guide, we're barely two months away from Apple unveiling the hotly-anticipated 10th-anniversary iPhone.
Here's the latest from the rumour mill and leak field.
. Three devices expected: Yes, aside from the 'iPhone 8', latest word is that Apple may also launch two more devices: the 'iPhone 7S' and 'iPhone 7S Plus'. The last two, however, are expected to have a predictable design and, probably, token upgrades from its current incarnation, the iPhone 7 (as if you didn't know that).
. Design: If a widely-circulating concept video from OnLeaks and Tiger Mobiles is to be believed, the iPhone 8 may sport the long-rumoured all-glass finish, which means the iconic home button will be knocked off. They also bust out a design in which the dual-lens camera is now positioned vertically, with the flash in between the two lenses. Also, the aluminium casing at the back could be replaced with a sleeker curved glass.
 

 
Remember: while this concept video claims that it's the 'best look' so far, it's all based on leaks and rumours. Don't get carried away too much.
. Home button: Speaking of that, that years-long rumour about saying goodbye to the home button may be realised; the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, then, would be built into the screen. There was some speculation that Team Apple may not be able to pull it off in time, but the latest rumour is that they may actually do it. A lesser talked-about news is that they may place it behind the phone, but that may disappoint those expecting innovation.
. Display: Apple could be finally ditching its resident LCD panel for a Super Amoled screen, and a curved one at that. Respected tipster Ming-Chi Kuo says this, so there's a very big possibility this will come into fruition. OLED is also an option, apparently.
. Size: It's expected that the iPhone 8 will be bigger than the biggest variations so far of 5.5 inches; a 5.8-inch screen is widely bet upon so far.
. Biometrics: It's believed that this will be built in into the iPhone 8's front camera, but there are concerns with this; remember, Samsung got a lot of heat when some group was able to bypass its face-recognition technology. One source, meanwhile, is saying that Apple is facing some problems perfecting it, so while it may come with the new phone, it could only work some time after its launch. An iris scanner is alo believed to be busted out.
. Camera: With iOS 11's focus on augmented reality, we may see a major upgrade for the iPhone 8's camera, in the sense that if you point it at something (including faces), it'll recognise and, they say, manipulate it. To be more specific, you may be able to use the camera to, say, find something in a department store or your seat in some arena.
. And the rest of it: Wireless charging (thankfully and finally), a Smart Connector (one that we've seen in the iPad Pro) and an AI chip - separate from the main CPU and graphics chips - to enhance your experience further. And how about free AirPods? Well, one analyst did predict this, but. don't expect too much.
. Price: Nothing's come close to confirmation, so we'll stick to the believed-to-be, gut-wrenching price of around $1,000 (Dh3,673).
- alvin@khaleejtimes.com