iPhone 8 Features: iOS 11 Firmware Leak Confirms Face ID, Animoji, More

A leak of iOS 11’s firmware reveals more iPhone 8 features, including Face ID, according to 9to5Mac.

Apple is set to hold its press event next week, in which it is expected to reveal the iPhone 8. Before the event kicks off, the recent leak is already showing what the 10th anniversary iPhone could include.

iPhone 8 Face ID

Previous rumors have pointed to support for face recognition technology on the iPhone 8. The iOS 11 firmware shows “Face ID” will be the official name of the feature. The firmware includes a video tutorial for setting up the Face ID feature, which shows a face moving around. The firmware implies users will have to move their face around in front of the camera to open the device, or at least when setting up the feature.

Animoji

IOS 11 will include Animoji, which are animated versions of emoji for iMessage. The Animoji will use facial tracking and the user’s voice to create animated messages.

Wallpapers

The iPhone 8 is expected to come with an OLED edge-to-edge display -- and Apple wants that feature to stand out. The firmware shows a set of colorful, vibrant wallpapers that mostly include, orange, purple and yellow designs.

Portrait Lighting and Video Recording

The iPhone 8 will also come with “Portrait Lighting,” a feature that will make pictures taken with the device more like DSLR images. The feature will include various photo modes: Contour Light, Natural Light, Stage Light, Stage Light Mono and Studio Light.

The recent leak also shows new video recording resolution and capture speeds listed by 9to5Mac:

“1080p HD at 240 fps 480 MB with 1080p HD at 240 fps

4K at 24 fps (Footer) 270 MB with 4K at 24 fps (film style) (HEVC Footer) 135 MB with 4K at 24 fps (film style)

4K at 60 fps (Footer) 450 MB with 4K at 60 fps (higher resolution, smoother) (HEVC Footer) 400 MB with 4K at 60 fps (higher resolution, smoother)”

True Tone Display

The inclusion of the True Tone display feature on the iPhone 8 had previously been rumored. The feature, which allows the display to adjust depending on its environment, was also included in the leak. True Tone will have a resolution of 1125×2436, the firmware suggests.

Display Changes

The iPhone 8 will also make some changes to its screen display. The recent leak and the previous HomePod firmware discoveries show the upcoming iPhone with a notch on the top of the device.

Revised AirPods

IOS 11 points to an updated version of AirPods, however the wireless earphones don’t seem to have much of an upgrade to its look. One change the firmware shows is the location of the charging indicator light. The indicator is now on the front of the case, instead of having users opening the lid and checking inside.

Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 8 on Sept. 12 at 1 a.m. EDT in the Steve Jobs Theater at the new Apple Park campus. The device is expected to cost more than $1,000, Goldman Sachs analysts said earlier this year.