iPhone 8 Could Feature 'Smart Connector' For Wireless Charging, AR And VR Accessories

The iPhone 8 could sport Apple’s “Smart Connector” for wireless charging and augmented reality and virtual reality accessories, according to Israeli blog The Verifier.

The Smart Connector feature, which is currently used on the iPad Pro, suggests the new iPhone could come with AR and VR capabilities.

Read: iPhone 8 Release Date Rumors: Pre-Orders Begin In September But Shipping Could Be Delayed, Report Says

The report also said the Cupertino company is working on a new model for the Apple TV that could allow AR and VR content to be viewed “from the simulated stacked reality monitors directly on the TV via AirPlay” (Google Translate).

iPhone 8 Augmented Reality Rumors

In February, it was revealed Apple had 1,000 engineers working on a project in Israel that could be related to AR, a research note by analyst Steven Milunovich said. The technology could be featured on the upcoming iPhone 8 (iPhone X). Milunovich also said Apple’s new iPhone could come with "moderate 3D mapping ... and possibly an AR software development kit."

Meanwhile, Apple has repeatedly shown its interest in AR. The company made numerous acquisitions of augmented reality-related firms, including Prime Sense and RealFace, both based in Tel Aviv, and German AR company Metaio. Apple also reportedly teamed up with German optics company Carl Zeiss to work on a pair of AR smart glasses.

iPhone 8 Wireless Charging Feature

The Smart Connector on the iPhone 8 could also allow for wireless charging, the recent report said. The Verifier has no track record as of yet, but other rumors have also pointed to wireless charging. A note by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested in February this year’s Apple iPhone lineup will feature wireless charging.

Read: iPhone 8 Rumors: Apple And Samsung Sign Two-Year Supply Contract For iPhone OLED Display Panels

The iPhone 8, which could also be called the iPhone Pro or iPhone Edition, is expected to be revealed this September alongside the iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus. The iPhone 8 is rumored to come with an OLED display screen, while the other models are said to keep the LCD screens.