(Photo: A drawing of what the iPhone 8 could look like, based on rumors, by Martin Hajek.)
Apple is widely expected to launch new iPhones in September.
There's been a ton of speculation and reports about the upcoming iPhone, including that it'll be redesigned.
The pressure is on Apple, too. It's the 10th anniversary of the first iPhone, launched in 2007, and the company is expected to have some big plans to mark the occasion.
Wall Street analysts hope the new iPhone drives a "supercycle" of sales and propels Apple to become the first trillion-dollar publicly traded company.
Apple rarely comments on upcoming products, but some code from Apple suggests some of the rumors may be accurate.
(Source: Kif Leswing)
Here's what you need to know about the upcoming iPhone:
1). Apple is expected to launch three iPhones: one that's redesigned, and two updates to the current iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Analysts have suggested several names for the redesigned iPhone, including "iPhone Pro," "iPhone Edition," "OLED iPhone," and "iPhone 8," which we're calling it. This report will focus entirely on the iPhone 8.
(Source: The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider)
2). The redesigned iPhone is the model that has received the most attention. It's expected to have an edge-to-edge, curved screen with much smaller bezels than the current iPhone 7. The screen uses a newer kind of display technology called OLED that promises to use less power and provide darker blacks.
This rendering of what the iPhone is expected to look like comes from designer Martin Hajek, who posts the files used to make his renders online.
(Source: Martin Hajek)
3). Apple seemingly confirmed the iPhone 8 redesign with significantly smaller bezels in this image included in HomePod firmware that Apple released. The codename for this image? D22.
(Source: Guilherme Rambo)
4). This design would allow Apple to pack more screen into the same size phone.
(Source: JPMorgan)
5). This bigger screen is expected to have a resolution of 1125 x 2436, according to Apple's code as well as a forecast from KGI Securities.
6). The iPhone 8 is expected to have a front camera with 3D sensing and modeling functions, allowing it to not only take photos but also manipulate them. The front-facing camera will be used for facial recognition, either to replace the Touch ID fingerprint sensor or to supplement it.
(Source: KGI Securities)
7). This, too, has been seemingly confirmed by Apple code that references face-unlocking and a so-called BiometricKit.
8). The rear camera will also have two rear lenses that are vertically oriented as opposed to horizontally, like on the iPhone 7 Plus.
(Source: Martin Hajek)
9). With a new edge-to-edge design on the iPhone 8, Apple is expected to eliminate the home button and build its functions into the screen. So long, home button.
(Source: REUTERS/Stephen Lam)
10). It's unclear whether the fingerprint sensor will be built into the screen as well or whether the Face ID feature will replace it.
(Source: Bloomberg)
11). On the software side, the next iPhone will run iOS 11, the newest version of Apple's iPhone and iPad software.
(Source: Apple)
12). iOS 11 is a pretty good update, with a redesigned control center, new screenshot workflow, and big improvements to Siri.
13). iPhone 8 is expected to get other things that aren't in the public previews of iOS 11, like augmented-reality features that let the camera change photos.
Apple is already integrating augmented-reality features into Clips, the fun camera app it released earlier this year.
14). You may not have to plug in your iPhone to charge it anymore — Apple is said to be adding wireless charging to the models coming out this fall, though the rumored Apple Watch-style charger may be sold separately. Apple has also officially joined the Wireless Power Consortium, suggesting it's serious about the technology.
(Source: KGI Securities and Business Insider)
15). But this redesigned iPhone won't be cheap — some analysts and reports have speculated it could cost $1,000 or more. And you might have to wait. Analysts have been saying that an issue with the fingerprint sensor may mean the iPhone 8 could be delayed — sales might not begin until October or later. You might have to line up if you want an OLED iPhone on the first day.
16). Some rumors have suggested the iPhone 8 will come only in black.
(Source: KGI Securities)
17). No, it won't have a headphone jack.
18). We'll find out soon enough. Apple has launched new iPhones in September for the past five years.
