All 2017 iPhones likely to have glass casing, stainless steel edges may be limited to high...

Posted:
in iPhone edited June 2020
With the glossy jet black iPhone 7 leading the way in sales, Apple is expected to switch to a more scratch-resistant all-glass finish for the front and back of a 2017 iPhone redesign, with stainless steel edges, rather than aluminum, for premium models.
Via ConceptsiPhone.
Expectations for Apple's 2017 iPhone lineup were shared on Thursday by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, in a research note obtained by AppleInsider. Kuo said that preorders for the iPhone 7 show the jet black model accounting for as many as 35 percent of all sales, despite the fact that it is limited to higher-capacity, more expensive models. Given that the iPhone 7 series marks the first time Apple has differentiated design based on capacity, limiting the glossy jet black option to 128- and 256-gigabyte models, he believes the company may push further in that direction in 2017, with a new stainless steel frame. "As all-glass casing is not possible at present given technological bottlenecks, a metal frame surrounding the edge is necessary for reinforced structure design," Kuo wrote. "As stainless steel has a better look than aluminum and costs more, we expect only high-end new iPhone models to come with a stainless steel frame next year." If true, that strategy would borrow from the Apple Watch lineup, where the entry-level models feature a dull aluminum, and mid-range versions boast a shiny, more durable stainless steel finish.
Via ConceptsiPhone.
As for the expected switch to glass, Kuo noted that glossy metal casings, like are found on the iPhone 7, are prone to scratches. Apple itself has warned consumers that the jet black aluminum polished finish on the iPhone 7 is vulnerable to scuffing and scratching. Glass, however, is more durable and scratch-resistant while also offering a glossy finish. The KGI analyst believes all 2017 iPhone models, in both the 4.7- and 5.5-inch sizes, will feature a glass chassis. Previously, his supply chain sources suggested the glass front and back would be limited to the larger Plus model, but the popularity of the jet black iPhone 7 may have prompted the company to revise its strategy. It's been suggested that the next iPhone will be a complete redesign with an edge-to-edge OLED display, concealing the home button, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, earpiece and FaceTime camera beneath the screen. The radical shakeup to the iPhone's design could be to commemorate the iconic handset's 10th anniversary.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 57
    I'll wait for a more credible source. 
    calimacxpressSoliboltsfan17jurassicjbdragonSpamSandwichgregg thurmanEsquireCatswatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 57
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    Please don't take us back to ultra thin fonts. (@renders)
    zroger73teaearlegreyhotrobin huberirelandgregg thurmanEsquireCats
  • Reply 3 of 57
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    An plus sized iPhone with stainless steel all the way round the rim would be pretty heavy, no?
  • Reply 4 of 57
    There's also Liquid Metal. Harder, more scratch resistant, and transparent to RF.

    People keep forgetting Apple's patents and investment in that company and technology...
    caliteaearlegreyhotgregg thurmanEsquireCatswatto_cobracornchipargonauttyler82longpath
  • Reply 5 of 57
    crowley said:
    Please don't take us back to ultra thin fonts. (@renders)
    Why? IMHO current day of week and date font looks terrible...and absolutely tasteless. I was shocked to see that change made by Apple in its iOS 10 version. 

    The way it looked in pre iOS 10 versions was definetely more elegant and also provided a separation of string with time from day/date string by having a thinner/smaller font for the latter. Now, it is not the case anymore
    edited September 2016
  • Reply 6 of 57


    So, an iPhone 4.
    AI_liasanton zuykovmessagepad2100king editor the grateirelandjbdragonjay-tcornchipGeorgeBMacargonaut
    dwp.jpg 76.8K
  • Reply 7 of 57
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    crowley said:
    Please don't take us back to ultra thin fonts. (@renders)
    Why?
    Because

    nolamacguyGeorgeBMac
  • Reply 8 of 57
    Now that the mechanical home button is being phased out, iPhone 8 could be further streamlined by removing the mechanical volume buttons on the side, plus their supporting components, either by incorporating their functions into iOS, by replacing them with a touchscreen+Taptic solution, by assigning those functions to Siri, or some other modern approach. Mechanical buttons are so 20th century.
  • Reply 9 of 57
    I believe Apple's aluminum is actually harder (mohs hardness scale) than their stainless steel. This is for their watches - not sure if they're using the same aluminum in their phone backs. Honesty, with Apple's venture into ceramic for the new watch, I wouldn't be surprised to see ceramic backs on an upcoming phone. Ceramic is ultra durable and can be made to a matte or high gloss finish that probably would resist the 'microabrasions' that the current jet black 7 phone has... I would expect ceramic to be radio-transparent as well, eliminating the need for the antenna band.
    zroger73Deelron[Deleted User]jay-targonautlongpath
  • Reply 10 of 57
    crowley said:
    Because

    If you had shown an image of an actual screen as opposed to some fake (so called) concept art (from some random dude), that would have been acceptable.

    Here:
    Much better looking from asthetics standpoint as well as from function stand point.
      
    http://cdn.iphonehacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/iOS-8-looks-quite-the-same-as-iOS-7-lock-screen.jpg

    Also, what is the problem with thin fonts? Don't like them or don't see them that well? No problemo -- there is bold font option in iOS that you can turn on. Use it, instead if demanding that terrible font for everyone else without the way to turn it off!
    mike1
  • Reply 11 of 57
    Now that the mechanical home button is being phased out, iPhone 8 could be further streamlined by removing the mechanical volume buttons on the side, plus their supporting components, either by incorporating their functions into iOS, by replacing them with a touchscreen+Taptic solution, by assigning those functions to Siri, or some other modern approach. Mechanical buttons are so 20th century.
    Try adjusting volume on a "conventional" 20th century iPhone without even looking at it. Easy.
    Now, imaging doing the same if you don't have physical buttons present, and instead you would rely on a touchscreen input to accomplish the same task. Good luck with that!
    edited September 2016 teaearlegreyhotmike1irelandDeelronjbdragonGeorgeBMacargonautstompy
  • Reply 12 of 57
    hmlongco said:
    There's also Liquid Metal. Harder, more scratch resistant, and transparent to RF.
    People keep forgetting Apple's patents and investment in that company and technology...
    Are you kidding? Apple can't innovate.   /s.

    anton zuykov
  • Reply 13 of 57
    hmlongco said:
    There's also Liquid Metal. Harder, more scratch resistant, and transparent to RF.

    People keep forgetting Apple's patents and investment in that company and technology...
    Agree. Liquid metal ball was demonstrated to bounce higher than steel. This elasticity that allows springing back from a drop rather than deforming could make it a good candidate for framing. 

    Also, the mock ups show the standard ear speaker "trench" in the screen. Highly doubt Apple would leave it that way, blocking part of the screen image. Maybe at the top edge? 
  • Reply 14 of 57
    Another "breaking" tag for this Kuo guy. Sigh.
    Hey now...he's the "Gold Standard" for AppleInsider! The guy is never wrong, remember!

    I'll start paying attention to the next iPhone when it comes time for Apple to release it. Otherwise to me, everyone is just throwing crap at the wall and see if it sticks and then claim they said it first. 
    nolamacguygilly33jay-t
  • Reply 15 of 57

    Now that the mechanical home button is being phased out, iPhone 8 could be further streamlined by removing the mechanical volume buttons on the side, plus their supporting components, either by incorporating their functions into iOS, by replacing them with a touchscreen+Taptic solution, by assigning those functions to Siri, or some other modern approach. Mechanical buttons are so 20th century.
    Try adjusting volume on a "conventional" 20th century iPhone without even looking at it. Easy.
    Now, imaging doing the same if you don't have physical buttons present, and instead you would rely on a touchscreen input to accomplish the same task. Good luck with that!
    Agree. Sometimes knobs and buttons are better. Used to have a microwave with a flat touchpad for all functions. Easy to clean, but slow to enter commands--lots of stabbing. My new one has the touchpad, but also a big rotating knob in the center to select options. Much more efficient. Remember car radios with no tuning knob? Nightmare. Rotating knob came back on high-end units as a feature. 
    irelandjbdragonfastasleepmike1
  • Reply 16 of 57
    Eliminating the "chin" and "forehead" on the plus model would be amazing! Same size screen at a much smaller pocket-friendly design. Edge to edge display will be amazing! A full year to save the $$$ for the 8!
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 17 of 57
    sog35 said:
    But if they do there is an easy solution. make a clockwise circle on the screen to increase volume, counter clockwise to decr
    Easy, untill you start implementing that. 
    When an iphone is locked, its screen input is deactivated. So, how are you going to separate accidental input created by the surface of your thigh or some other part of your body from activating that gesture? And if you still keep that lock, then how are you going to use that gesture in the first place?
    edited September 2016 irelandargonaut
  • Reply 18 of 57
    crowley said:
    Because

    If you had shown an image of an actual screen as opposed to some fake (so called) concept art (from some random dude), that would have been acceptable.

    Here:
    Much better looking from asthetics standpoint as well as from function stand point.
      
    http://cdn.iphonehacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/iOS-8-looks-quite-the-same-as-iOS-7-lock-screen.jpg

    Also, what is the problem with thin fonts? Don't like them or don't see them that well? No problemo -- there is bold font option in iOS that you can turn on. Use it, instead if demanding that terrible font for everyone else without the way to turn it off!
    my vision is perfect but i don't like thin fonts because they take longer to read. the newer, thicker typefaces are easier to scan at a glance. 
    ireland
  • Reply 19 of 57
    SoliSoli Posts: 10,038member
    hmlongco said:
    There's also Liquid Metal. Harder, more scratch resistant, and transparent to RF.

    People keep forgetting Apple's patents and investment in that company and technology...
    We haven't forgotten, but we're not holding our breath, either.
  • Reply 20 of 57
    it's gonna be a good long wait till September :P
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