Apple may be planning just 2 new iPhones for 2017

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iPhone 8 concept
The OLED revolution has begun.
Photo: Concept

Apple will launch just two new iPhones this fall as opposed to three, according to a new report.

Fans were expecting updates to the existing 4.7- and 5.5-inch models, plus a larger “iPhone Edition” with a different design, an OLED display, and additional features. But one supply chain source says “it’s not true.”

But don’t be too disappointed just yet. You might have been saving up for that rumored iPhone Edition, which was expected to be a lot more expensive than the other models, but what if you could get dual rear-facing cameras and all the other goodies in a more affordable device?

That’s exactly what will happen, according to a Foxconn insider who has been spilling information to MicGadget.

“We know that lots of iPhone owners want to buy new iPhone with new features and display size. But rumors say that Apple will be released two iPhone 7S and one iPhone 8 (or iPhone Edition) models. Today we can tell you, that it’s not true,” reads the report.

“In this fall we can see only two models with new technology.”

The apparent insider suggests that we won’t have to pay extra for cool new features; they will come as standard on the two new iPhones that Apple is planning. Both devices will also offer dual rear-facing cameras, which are currently exclusive to the larger iPhone 7 Plus.

The report doesn’t mention OLED displays, but recent rumors have indicated that Apple is placing massive orders for them from suppliers like Samsung. This could mean that OLED panels will also be a standard feature on both models, which is particularly exciting.

Other features that could debut this year include wireless charging, iris scanning or facial recognition, and a next-generation Touch ID sensor embedded within the iPhone’s display.

We should remember that we’ve heard different things from more reliable sources, like KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, so make of this what you will.

More recent reports have warned that iPhone Edition has been delayed due to severe shortages of certain components, so it’s certainly plausible that Apple has only placed orders for two models for now, even though a third is still planned for later in 2017.

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