Next year’s iPhone won’t be another repackaged iPhone 6. According to one reliable analyst, fans can look forward to an overhauled design with a scratch-resistant glass casing, and stainless steel edges on high-end models.
Demand for the jet black iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus has proven that everyone wants super shiny smartphones. But jet black seems to be little more than a stepping stone to something a lot fancier that’s not going to scratch anywhere near as easily.
[contextly_auto_sidebar] Reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo issued a note to investors on Thursday in which he claims next year’s iPhone will ship with an all-new form factor that sports glass panels on its front and back sides.
Those glass panels will be held together by an aluminum frame on most models, Kuo adds — but more expensive options will offer stainless steel instead. This is the same approach Apple takes with Apple Watch.
“As all-glass casing is not possible at present given technological bottlenecks, a metal frame surrounding the edge is necessary for reinforced structure design,” Kuo writes in the note obtained by AppleInsider.
“As stainless steel has a better look than aluminum and costs more, we expect only high-end new iPhone models to come with a stainless steel frame next year.”
Previously, Kuo’s sources suggested that iPhone fans would have to opt for the Plus-sized iPhone to get glass panels front and back. However, he now believes that all options in 4.7- and 5.5-inch sizes will have them for 2017.
Kuo has previously reported that next year’s iPhone, which could be named iPhone 8, will be Apple’s first with an edge-to-edge OLED display, which would conceal things like the home button, Touch ID sensor, earpiece, and FaceTime camera beneath the glass.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
8 responses to “iPhone 2017 prediction: Glassy with a hint of steel”
Why would Apple add useless distorted bent edges to the display?
Why not guess that the iPhone will have have the shape of a ball, while you’re at it?
There’s no distortion you fool, the curved edge is for aesthetics and to give your phone a bezeless display.
If you don’t like edge displays don’t buy one.
Edge displays are so popular that nobody buys the regular S6 & S7 so Samsung will drop flat displays altogether with the S8.
Anyway, you’re a typical apple user and you’ll do a 180° as soon as apple releases one.
Wrong on all points, dingus.
How am I
And then some
We’ll see. I screenshot these comments so I can throw it in your face later.
I use the S7 edge since day one, you’ve never touched it but say the display is distorted.
You 180° on everything, from your tiny 3.5″ display to the Apple watch and everything in between.
Anyway, enjoy the rest of your day.
WhaaaatOhNooooo.wav
As an S7 user, I can say that plenty of people don’t like the curved edges of the S7 Edge or Note 7. Try not to let personal preference be mistaken for popular opinion.