It’s a rumor, but it’s an interesting one.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a report stating that the 2017 iPhone will feature wireless charging for the first time ever. Instead of plugging in a cable, iPhone 8 owners will be able to charge their batteries using an inductive pad similar to how the Apple Watch charges. While many Android phones support wireless charging with plastic and metal chassis, the report says Apple’s switch to a glass casing for iPhone 8 will enable wireless charging at fast speeds with minimum disruption from frequency interference.
The report also stated that Apple may not bundle a wireless charger with every new model and that these may be limited to the more-expensive, higher-capacity units. Apple is though to be aggressively pursuing wireless charging through 2018 and buyers of base end models may have to buy an additional accessory for this feature.
Previous report from KGI have hinted that Apple intends to release three new iPhones in 2017. Two of these models are thought to be more-iterative successors to the existing iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, and one major new ‘bezel-less’ design with an OLED display that wraps around the edges and sides of the phone. All three models are expected to feature glass casings which suggests they all will incorporate wireless charging components.
The OLED display would technically be about 5.8-inches in size although the active touchscreen diagonal size would be circa 5.2-inches as some of the screen area is being used up on the sides of the product for aesthetic reasons.
The next-gen iPhone is thought to incorporate a Touch ID Home button somehow integrated into the display, thereby eliminating the bottom bezel “chin”. The OLED iPhone 8 continues to be described as ‘bezel-less’ but it is unclear how Apple will deal with the top bezel which currently features a speaker and FaceTime camera.
Granted, none of this is set in stone, but it’ll be interesting to see what comes down the pipe.
Via 9to5Mac