“The three new iPhone models to be launched next year are likely to sport glass backs supplied by China’s Biel Crystal Manufactory and Lens Technology, an industry source told the Nikkei Asian Review,” Debby Wu reports for Nikkei Asian Review.
“Apple is preparing to unveil a made-over iPhone at the device’s 10th anniversary in 2017,” Wu reports. “The source said however, that the U.S. tech titan could change its plans for the new backs, given that it ceased production of the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 model bearing a single lens less than six months before launch.”
“The glass front and back will be held together by a metal frame,” Wu reports. “Vincent Chen, an analyst at Yuanta Investment Consulting, wrote in an Oct. 20 note that another major improvement in the iPhone 8 series would be the inclusion of a wireless charging feature.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We’re sure it’ll be insanely great, but we’re more than happy to spend a year with our amazing Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus units!
Now, again, is this “glass” as in Gorilla glass or is it bulk metallic glass (as in: Liquidmetal) or both?
The timeframe would be right for Apple to begin using Liquidmetal in earnest.
I estimate that Apple will likely spend on the order of $300 million to $500 million — and three to five years — to mature the technology before it can used in large scale. — Dr. Atakan Peker, one of the Caltech researchers who invented Liquidmetal, May 2012
SEE ALSO:
Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple’s next-gen iPhones will get a more scratch-resistant glass body, stainless steel frame and more – September 29, 2016
Apple supplier Catcher CEO: One iPhone model will adopt glass casing next year – May 19, 2016
Apple granted key U.S patent for Touch ID fingerprint recognition integrated into Multi-Touch display – May 18, 2016
Apple supplier LG Innotek embeds fingerprint sensor into display – May 4, 2016
Why the 2017 iPhone will be made of Liquidmetal – April 18, 2016
Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple’s 2017 iPhone to feature new ‘all glass’ enclosure – April 18, 2016
Professor behind Liquidmorphium Turing Phone invests in Liquidmetal, named to Board, enters into cross-licensing agreement – March 14, 2016
3D fingerprint sensors under Gorilla Glass may let Apple kill iPhone’s Home button – July 21, 2015
The Turing Phone is not made out of Liquidmetal – July 15, 2015
Why does Apple keep extending their partnership with Liquidmetal? – June 25, 2015
Apple extends Liquidmetal exclusivity deal through February 2016 – June 23, 2015
Apple working on eliminating the Home button on iPhone, iPad, sources say – June 22, 2015
Two new Liquidmetal patent filings from Apple revealed; list watch and jewelry among potential uses – April 23, 2015
Apple files for patent to move Touch ID fingerprint scanner from home button to display – February 9, 2015
Liquidmetal’s Apple alliance yet to bear fruit – September 30, 2014
Apple’s new Liquidmetal-related patent sparks speculation – July 7, 2014
Apple patents method for embedding sapphire displays in LiquidMetal device chassis – May 27, 2014
Liquidmetal-Visser agreement paves the way for more rapid adoption of amorphous metal manufacturing – May 21, 2014
Apple extends Liquidmetal exclusivity deal through February 2015 – May 21, 2014
Liquid metal!!!!!!
Selfish reasons of course because I own shares. hehe
I’m hoping for Liquidmetal. There could only be limited and difficult to accomplish ways for anyone to reply/copy.
If made in Asia it will be stolen and copied.
Can liquid metal be transparent or just the nature of its crystalline structure make it glass like?
I just don’t get why wireless charging is supposed to be such a killer feature? First off, it only works over a small range, so you might as well plug in anyways, right? And what about the extra heat, or energy lost?
Why not glass fronts and backs? more things to break and make a profit on fixing, from the company who made a non phyisical home button so it wouldn’t break! Its also a huge hassle for people in cold climates. Makes sense!