Fasten your seat belts, because our friend Ming-Chi Kuo spoke again and, perhaps, to the displeasure of many – or all!
The very well-informed analyst at KGI Securities published your 10 predictions for the new iPhones. Some items on the list have already heard a lot of rumors; but there is news, too – not necessarily good.
Last week, we reported that Chinese manufacturer Vivo announced – in partnership with Qualcomm – a smartphone with the first fingerprint reader built into the screen. Now, if the Chinese manufacturer has already achieved this feat, it is easy to think that Apple would already have similar technology ready for this year’s device, the supposed «IPhone 8». However, like a bucket of cold water, Kuo stated that we will not see a fingerprint reader on the screen on the iPhone in 2017 – and explains his position:
We think there are still some technological challenges to be addressed, including: 1. the ability to scan still has room for improvement; 2. is slower to enable; and 3. the response is slower.
He mentions that a thinner than normal screen will be necessary, in addition to flexible OLED screens to work. This means that it may take a little longer than expected for something like this to reach the market.
In addition, he corroborated some other rumors: according to Kuo Apple will, yes, launch three models of iPhones. Two of them would be just an update of iPhones 7/7 Plus, with similar design and format, remaining with the LCD screen and the same inches (4.7 ″ and 5.5 ″). The third model, called «iPhone 8» for now, will arrive with a 5.8 «OLED screen. Kuo affirmed that this model will have the best use of canvas in the market, thanks to the “cutout” of the upper part; at the bottom, we would have a virtual Home button, resulting in basically 5.2 ″ of screen next to a new “function area”.
Kuo also joined in with other rumors which stated that the OLED model would have a sensor for 3D facial recognition, in addition to listing that it will have stainless steel housing and glass – but with less color options – and will bring improvements to the sound balance stereo on the speakers. The “7s” and “7s Plus” models, on the other hand, would have an aluminum frame and glass back.
As pointed out in March by Kuo himself, the three models would have Lightning doors; at the other end (cables and wall adapters), we would have USB-C technology for faster charging. Internally, the «iPhone 8» and «7s Plus» would have 3GB of RAM, while the «7s» would come with 2GB. In storage, everyone would have 64GB and 256GB options. Finally, Kuo said that the three models will be announced in September, but the “iPhone 8” would actually hit the market a little later, with limited production until 2018.
One thing I know: Apple would not launch anything with a “half-assed” operation, much less remove something as primordial as Touch ID is today – both due to its fast authentication and integration with services, such as Apple Pay . So if Apple actually launches a device with the virtual Home button, there would necessarily need to be a fingerprint sensor somewhere if not on the screen. Would she adopt a sensor on the back or on the on / off button as a “hole plug”, without seeing a real future for this new location? I find it difficult …
Perhaps – and this is * my * opinion – Apple is working on three models because it knew the risks of not getting a fingerprint technology on the screen; so, if it definitely doesn’t work or works in an unsatisfactory way, they may not even announce this third model, yet …
As always, we will have to wait and see. ?
via 9to5Mac
