Apple Might Launch iPhone 8 or 7S or Both: Expected Features, Possibilities For Next Device

Apple’s 2017 device will most probably remain a mystery till the day it is launched. There is huge anticipation about the upcoming device since it marks the tenth anniversary of the original iPhone.

The general trend for the company has been to launch an iPhone ‘S’ model between two Apple flagships, denoted by a numerical change in the name, ever since the iPhone 3GS. The company’s nomenclature is not arbitrary.

Read: New iPhone 8 Leak Features Vertical Lenses, Wireless Charging Technology

While a device with an ‘S’ in the name, like the iPhone 6S, mostly has software-based changes, a device with a numerical change, like the iPhone 7 marks big changes in terms of features, which had one feature that differentiated it from all previous iPhones — there was no 3.5mm jack on the device. Apple provided users with headphones with a lighting connector instead.

The device also had other features such as an improved processor, optical image stabilization for the camera and most importantly, a dual-camera on the iPhone 7 Plus. In comparison, the iPhone 6S actually had just one hardware change — it had a feature called 3D touch, which basically let users interact with the phone’s interface by applying pressure on the display, but the feature was criticized for not providing users with any major usage enhancement.

It is therefore imperative for smartphone enthusiasts, especially Apple aficionados whether Apple launches an iPhone 7S, an iPhone 8 or both.

iPhone 7S

If Apple launches an iPhone 7S, the phone might be a device with incremental changes going by Apple’s past ‘S’ devices. The phone might have software upgrades such as an improved Siri and better Maps, but it might not get the major design changes that are rumored for the next device, such as an edge-to-edge display and a 10nm processor, as that seems to be the nature of things in Apple’s device launch cycle.

The device could see some incremental feature such as improved AirPods support for apps, but there might not necessarily be changes that really set the Apple flagship apart from leading devices from Samsung and Google.

iPhone 8

Apple has been long-rumored to have a special tenth anniversary edition phone called the iPhone 8 under its wings. The device has been hailed as a game-changer for the company as it would be markedly different from all its predecessors.

According to YouTuber Lewis Hilsenteger of Unbox Therapy, it would change how we look at iPhones.

The foremost feature of the device is its display. Up till now, iPhones have had large bezels, the bottom one being the largest to accommodate Apple’s signature home button. For the iPhone 8, the company is expected to ditch the home button and go for a display embedded fingerprint sensor . iPhone 8 is expected to have an edge-to-edge display, which will provide users with at least an inch more of usable surface area i.e. compared to 4.7 inches on the iPhone 7, iPhone 8 is expected to provide users with 5.7-inches of usable screen area, in a similar form factor.

Under the hood, Apple is expected to endow the device with a 10nm processor. Since the technology has been developed jointly by Qualcomm and Samsung, there is a chance that might not happen. Apple is being sued by and is counter-suing Qualcomm and Samsung happens to be its major rival. Instead, we might see Apple developing its own chipsets —the company recently ended its contract with Imagination Technologies, which made processors for previous iPhones and was one of the bidders for the Toshiba NANDflash memory plant.

The company is also expected to endow iPhone 7 Plus’ dual-camera sensor to the smaller iPhone 8,but in a vertical setup with a flash in the middle.

Both iPhone 7S and iPhone 8

There is also a possibility that Apple could actually break with tradition by launching three iPhone models — iPhone 7S, iPhone 7S Plus and iPhone 8. This might be a possibility if there is a significant price difference between the 7S devices and the iPhone 8. The iPhone 8 could launch for a price upwards of $1,000, while the iPhone 7S could be priced around $699-799.

Read: Apple Might Not Launch The iPhone 7S, 7S Plus Alongside iPhone 8

An iPhone X?

This is the least possible outcome, but Apple could probably have a foldable phone in the works. An iPhone X with a spread out form factor opening outwards has also surfaced in some rumors in the past.