Since Apple launched its first iPhone 10 years ago, it became a worldwide obsession. Each time a new model is announced, users go into a frenzy, speculating about each and every detail it could include from its colour to camera.
As the launch of the iPhone 8 is on the horizon, the rumours circulating about its newest features are definitely enough reasons for it to be your next purchase. Here, CBR has the top picks to sway your decision.
First and foremost, the expected release date is rumoured to be September 2017, and the handset will likely to set you back around £682. Since the first launch of the iPhone in 2007, it’s fair to say Apple has made significant changes to the original version of the iPhone. Here’s a few changes rumoured to feature on the new iPhone 8.
Shape, Screen & Body
The new iPhone 8 is expected to be bigger than the 7 but smaller than the 7S measuring exactly 5.65 x 2.79 x 0.298 inches with a 5.8inch display screen. As it stands, there are only rumours surrounding the iPhone 8, but it’s possible an iPhone 8 Plus will be next.
A big change for the new model is the 5.8-inch screen, which stretches from edge-to-edge leaving no space for Touch ID, home button or top bezel. But we’ll get to the nitty gritty of that further down.
Rumour has it, with the bigger screen will come a better display. The improved iPhone 8 will switch from LCD to an AMOLED display. With the change it should deliver better contrast, more vibrant colours and include battery saving always-on display.
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Camera Improvements
As we know, everyone loves to upload a good selfie or striking Instagram post, so Apple’s appealing to this audience by offering new improvements to the camera.
iPhone 8 is rumoured to have a twin lens camera to improve picture quality.
It’s expected to feature a new vertical camera with a twin lens for optimal picture perfection. The iPhone 7 already had a hugely improved camera from previous models, but now it is expected to come with 3D features. This could add 3D effects to images and work with another rumoured feature, augmented reality (AR).
AR is supposed to map out where you want to go, recognise objects by pointing your phone at them and remember things or places you’ve done or been. Working like AI, it collates data that will soon be the future of iPhones.
As for the front camera, it was updated for the iPhone 7 to 7MP, but speculation says that it might feature an extra camera focusing trick to get the best selfie possible.
Facial Recognition
If you thought the concept of Touch ID was impressive, you were wrong. So much so, it isn’t expected to feature on the iPhone 8. How do you unlock your phone then? A whole new ball game has been put into play as technology tests its limits by using facial recognition to unlock your iPhone.
Already featured on Samsung’s new model, Samsung S8, Apple is expected to make its version better and more secure for users after flaws in Samsung’s design were revealed. This included the feature not recognising user’s faces by the camera, but instead 2D images would be recognised meaning a less secure passkey for users if a photo of them could unlock their phone.
Battery Power
A BIGGIE for many iPhone users. Battery life isn’t the best on iPhones, compared to its competition in the market such as the Lenovo P2 which was ranked top for battery life by Expert Reviews. In these results, the iPhone 7 ranked around the half-way point, so rumoured battery improvements will definitely be a reason to purchase this new iPhone. Whether it’s down to user usage, or ineffective battery power, the iPhone 8 is expected to come with a new and longer lasting life.
Better battery is another speculation for the new iPhone.
With a little extra room to the design allows for extra battery storage space. Rumours suggest Apple may incorporate a stacked mainboard internal design, which would allow for more room and bigger battery capacity.
To help with preserving battery life, the lightning port may be out of the window to allow for a USB-C charger port, matching the MacBook design. That’s just a rumour though – along with the potential to have wireless charging for the phone. This would likely cause plenty of anger amongst users given that Apple only recently adopted the lightning port.
As previously touched on, a new design for the iPhone is an all over glass finish. Apart from the look of the phone, it has another benefit; wireless charging. Though it has been discussed in the past, it is rumoured to feature on this model after Wistron, an Apple supplier let a comment slip, according to Nikkei.
The curved glass back will allow for wireless charging, as power passes through glass better than metal so even if you’ve lost or broke your lead, there’s another way to ensure you’re powered throughout the day.
Colouring
Back when the iPhone 6 was revealed, buyers couldn’t wait to get their hands on a Rose Gold edition of the iPhone. With the iPhone 8 it is rumoured to come in four different colours with a new mirror-like finish to be featured in the options of the new iPhone.
Leaks online suggest that the new iPhone is going to bring a new design altogether having a mirror-like finish to the product.
Original colours from previous models are expected to be an option for the new iPhone as well, with a rumour that there will be an all-white option for buyers.
Read More: New iPhone 8 will not be delayed hints Apple as earnings beat estimates
Compared to their rival, Apple will install face recognition through 3D perception, to ensure it works correctly and only recognises the owners face.
Unlike Samsung, using 3D technology will ensure safety when using the feature by not being spoofed by 2D images, after many Samsung users found.
It 3D face recognition makes the final cut in the design time line, it will be safe, secure and fast, working within hundreds of milliseconds.
Competition heats up
The new model makes its way to the market hoping to compete with rival Samsung, after it released the Samsung S8, showing signs of similarities between the two. As you can see above, Apple is looking for ways to better Samsung. Examples include: 3D face recognition, the screen and the camera quality.
In comparison to the Samsung model, experts are unsure whether Apple will retain Touch ID – a feature which the Samsung S8 holds. If it doesn’t remain it could be cause for concern if buyers don’t opt in for the 3D facial recognition unlocking.
Although Apple has been at the forefront of smartphone technology, for arguably the last 10 years will it still dominate the smartphone market when the new iPhone 8 is released? If all these rumours become reality, then yes it does stand a good chance to outweigh competition Samsung. However, if buyers don’t like the new modifications the iPhone 8 has unfortunately got a bumpy road ahead.
