Rumor has it that iPhone 8 features fast wireless charging technology, with a move to an all-glass construction expected to take place in order to facilitate the new charging method.
The report, coming via the normally reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, has Apple eschewing the metal-backed iPhone philosophy it has adhered to since the iPhone 5’s introduction, in favor of glass construction from iPhone 4 and 4s era. According to Kuo, Apple will use this glass construction for the 2017 iPhones in order to make the fast wireless charging a possibility.
Whilst wireless charging is possible even when a device uses a metal body, there are additional complexities which the company clearly feels are not worth the trade off, but long story short, metal alloys hinder true fast wireless charging. For those well versed with Apple’s way of thinking, this cannot be compromised on.
The decision to ditch metal for a glass construction also allows Apple design chief, Jony Ive, to further his attempts to produce an iPhone almost entirely made of glass as has apparently been his aim for a number of years. As we all know, what Ive wants, he tends to get, especially when you take into account the number of rumors and speculations we’ve had about an iPhone 8 with a glass body.
Coming back to the technology used to make the wireless charging possible, it appears Pegatron will be the sole supplier of that hardware, although it is unclear whether chargers will be included with new iPhones or will simply be sold as additional accessories.
We believe one of the reasons why new iPhones will switch from metal casing to glass casing is to support wireless charging. In order to ensure a superior performance, we believe it is most appropriate for EMS suppliers to develop and make the wireless charger because then a comprehensive test can be conducted. As Hon Hai needs to deploy most resources to develop and produce OLED iPhone, we expect Pegatron will be the exclusive supplier of the wireless charger.
Earlier Kuo has suggested that Apple is looking to launch the iPhone 8 in three different models, two LCD models, and one with an OLED display. Apple is likely to announce and then sell the iPhone 8 around September 2017, if previous timescales are to be followed, so don’t hold your breath on this report just yet.
(Via: MacRumors)
You might also like to check out:
- How Apple’s Truly Wireless Charging May Work On 2017 iPhone
- Report: iPhone 8 Wireless Charging Feature Being Tested By Foxconn
- Pokemon Go Ditto Location Found, Nearby Feature Tweaked And Expanded
- iPhone 8 May Get Its Rumored Bezel-Less Look From Sharp’s New Rounded-Corner Display
You can follow us on Twitter, add us to your circle on Google+ or like our Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google, Apple and the web.