“Apple is expected to introduce three new iPhones as soon as September: 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch LCD models we call iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus, and a 5.8-inch OLED model we call iPhone 8,” Zac Hall reports for 9to5Mac. “While the iPhone 8 will feature an all-new bezel-less design, the iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus are expected to look much like the current flagship iPhones.”
“One change for the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhones expected next month is a material return from aluminum backs to glass, and now a new rumor claims that shift will result in a slightly thicker casing,” Hall reports. “German blog Giga Apple cites a case maker who claims to have sources within iPhone maker Foxconn in reporting at least a 0.1mm jump in thickness on the iPhone 7s. According to a leaked specs document obtained from the site, the iPhone 7s will have a slight increase on all dimensions.”
Hall reports, “The change, if true, is expected to be due to the shift to glass from aluminum which serves as a pass through for rumored wireless (inductive) charging.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: It’ll be worth it for the (relatively minor) added convenience of inductive charging (think Apple Watch charging). We don’t call it “wireless,” because it’s really not in practice since it requires, you know, a wired charger.
True wireless charging would be quite the leap. However, most observers are expecting a more pedestrian inductive charging capability for the next-gen iPhone(s).
As we wrote last month, “It sounds like we’ll be waiting at least another year for true wireless charging at a distance (à la Energous).”
Right now, the Apple Watch’s charging system is nice because it’s less fiddly, and especially useful in the dark, but it’s still essentially a wired charging system in practice. If Apple offers Qi-type charging, it’ll be fine, but will not be a big selling point – unless it offers considerably faster charging than today. – MacDailyNews, April 27, 2017
SEE ALSO:
How Apple’s next-gen iPhone could change the wireless charging landscape – August 9, 2017
Leak appears to confirm widely anticipated new feature for Apple’s iPhone 8 – July 27, 2017
John Gruber: Apple’s wireless charging accessory won’t be ready at iPhone launch this year – July 8, 2017
Apple supplier confirms new iPhone models will be ‘waterproof’ with wireless charging – June 14, 2017
iPhone 8 renders from highly detailed CAD file point to glass back, embedded Home button, wireless charging – May 16, 2017
Apple’s next-gen iPhone to pack revolutionary wireless over-the-air charging at a distance? – May 11, 2017
Apple patent application focuses on truly wireless charging via Wi-Fi – April 27, 2017
Apple has at least five different groups working on wireless charging technology – February 23, 2017
Apple joins Wireless Power Consortium – February 13, 2017
Apple’s ‘iPhone X’ to feature wireless charging and iris scanning technology, sources say – February 10, 2017
KGI’s Ming Chi Kuo predicts wireless charging for all three new iPhones – February 9, 2017
More evidence suggests Apple tie-up with true wireless charging firm Energous – December 21, 2016
Apple supplier Dialog partners with wireless charging company Energous – December 15, 2016
Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple’s next-gen iPhone to feature all-glass case for wireless charging – November 23, 2016
Thicker because of more battery please!
Will the phone be able to charge the watch?
Will it be as Thick as a Brick? Anyway, what difference does it make? If that’s what Apple’s inductive charging system requires then that’s the way it has to be. Are most consumers actually asking for ultra-thin smartphones? That tiny bit of extra thickness is hardly worth mentioning. I’d gladly trade extra thickness for a higher capacity battery and longer battery life if given that choice. Besides, it will make the iPhone that much harder to bend if people are still using that method to test iPhone durability.
” … Besides, it will make the iPhone that much harder to bend if people are still using that method to test iPhone durability.”
Haven’t you heard? Bending tests are out. The only test that matters now is being shatterproof to an as yet unannounced type of impact. It’s a change in emphasis which the reviewers will be introducing in a couple of months.
Also every time that Apple made a new iPhone a fraction of a millimetre thinner that it’s predecessor, journalists claimed that being a tiny bit slimmer was inconsequential. But the extra 0.1mm thickness of the new iPhone will be reported as a sure sign that Apple has lost the plot ( again ).