Rumor: New 'iPhone 8' schematic and manufacturing molds revealed in leaked photos

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iPhone edited April 2017
A set of unverified photos posted online on Friday claim to show manufacturing molds, as well as a schematic diagram for said molds, being prepared for production of Apple's "iPhone 8."




Posted to hardware leak website Slashleaks, and later distributed via Twitter by Benjamin Geskin, the supposed "iPhone 8" material appears to line up with rumors already circulating about Apple's next-generation handset. In particular, a purported rear casing mold reveals what looks to be space for a vertical dual-camera array, positioned in the top-left corner of the handset.

As the photos were posted without accompanying identifying information, including an origin source, AppleInsider is unable to vouch for the veracity of the photos and offers the following for purposes of discussion.

The schematic shows three views of a manufacturing mold thought to hold parts destined for, or near, the "iPhone 8" rear casing. Along with the rear perspective, the diagram includes a side view showing a SIM card slot and a bottom view highlighted by a single Lightning connector. Noticeably absent is a cutout capable of accommodating Apple's Touch ID sensor, a feature that according to previous leaks might be repositioned to the device back.

Second and third photos provide a look at the supposed molds. The trench in the mold corresponding to the schematic is much shorter than that of a second mold thought to relate to the handset's front face. Additionally, the front mold incorporates four holes that will presumably house cameras and proximity and light sensors. Interestingly, there is no ear speaker cutout, meaning Apple is attempting an under-display solution or the mold is meant to carry an intermediate part positioned between the logic board and cover glass.

Considering their respective size and internal structure, the molds, if legitimate, are likely designed for the production of internal components.




Apple is expected to launch three new iPhones this year. Along with the usual "iPhone 7s" upgrades, the company is rumored to debut a high-end "iPhone 8" that will include a number of exotic technologies like an edge-to-edge OLED display, integrated Touch ID, 3D sensing FaceTime camera and more.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 21
    AI_liasAI_lias Posts: 436member
    Wow, the rumor mill is really spinning up now. Starting to see some common threads in all of them. One thing I am thinking about, is the "supercycle" everyone is talking about. It looks like it won't be a supercyle for a while, because Iphone 8 supplies might be constrained, and I don't think so many are waiting for the iPhone 7s. Unless they cut the price like they did for the iPad.
  • Reply 2 of 21
    indiekidukindiekiduk Posts: 385member
    iPhones are CNC'ed from a block. Those are case molds for plastic, which can be made also by CNC.
    qwwera
  • Reply 3 of 21
    qwweraqwwera Posts: 282member
    The image pictures a "jig" not a mold.
    And it shows the ends as flat, like that 5 series love-child than the rounded edges on that Apple Watch love-child
  • Reply 4 of 21
    qwweraqwwera Posts: 282member
    indiekiduk said:
    iPhones are CNC'ed from a block. Those are case molds for plastic, which can be made also by CNC.
    Agree. These might be injection molds for a case? 
    But why make an injection mold for the face of a case?
  • Reply 5 of 21
    boltsfan17boltsfan17 Posts: 2,294member
    AI_lias said:
    Wow, the rumor mill is really spinning up now. Starting to see some common threads in all of them. One thing I am thinking about, is the "supercycle" everyone is talking about. It looks like it won't be a supercyle for a while, because Iphone 8 supplies might be constrained, and I don't think so many are waiting for the iPhone 7s. Unless they cut the price like they did for the iPad.
    Its that time of year. One of these leaks will end up being the real deal. We just won't know for a while. Some of the leaks around the same time last year ended up being the real deal. Its funny its the same thing every year. First leaks look really bad and then continue to get better and better each week. 
    firelock
  • Reply 6 of 21
    namechanged - contact staffnamechanged - contact staff Posts: 48member
    qwwera said:
    indiekiduk said:
    iPhones are CNC'ed from a block. Those are case molds for plastic, which can be made also by CNC.
    Agree. These might be injection molds for a case? 
    But why make an injection mold for the face of a case?
    Liquid Metal?
  • Reply 7 of 21
    kamiltonkamilton Posts: 283member
    Liquid Metal, Baby!
  • Reply 8 of 21
    bluefire1bluefire1 Posts: 1,310member
    I'm going for the trifecta this fall: Apple Watch 3, Kaby Lake MacBook Pro and iPhone 8.
    Can't wait!

    watto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 21
    kamiltonkamilton Posts: 283member
    I'm buying more Liquid Metal stock.  
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 21
    qwweraqwwera Posts: 282member
    qwwera said:
    iPhones are CNC'ed from a block. Those are case molds for plastic, which can be made also by CNC.
    Agree. These might be injection molds for a case? 
    But why make an injection mold for the face of a case?
    Liquid Metal?
    Yeah but it shows a back and a front. How is a liquid metal face work? I thought they wanted OLED instead of a sold piece of metal for the face.

    my guess is that these are jigs that hold components in place along the assembly line.
    edited April 2017
  • Reply 11 of 21
    i-boyi-boy Posts: 3member
    Whyyyyyyy thicker?? I just can't commit to thicker! iPad Air 2 is an ideal thickness. What ever happen to thinner is better.. curs you apple you've lost your way :neutral: 
  • Reply 12 of 21
    wizard69wizard69 Posts: 13,377member
    I probably should fire up a CAD system to create my own entry into the leaks world.    
  • Reply 13 of 21
    mobiusmobius Posts: 380member
    wizard69 said:
    I probably should fire up a CAD system to create my own entry into the leaks world.    
    A doodle on a bit of scrap paper would probably suffice.
    sully54qwwerawatto_cobra
  • Reply 14 of 21
    19831983 Posts: 1,225member
    Its increasingly seeming likely that Apple will go the way of Android handset makers by putting Touch ID on the back of the phone...not good! And they're still using Sim card slots it seems too, I thought with the Edition Apple would be able to use that elegant built-in chip solution they developed that negates the need for that space eating slot. Carrier opposition I suppose, even though its used on the latest iPads I believe.
    edited April 2017
  • Reply 15 of 21
    rotateleftbyterotateleftbyte Posts: 1,630member
    bluefire1 said:
    I'm going for the trifecta this fall: Apple Watch 3, Kaby Lake MacBook Pro and iPhone 8.
    Can't wait!

    more money than sense if you ask me.
    Kaby Lake will give you what over the current CPU? More cost and a little bit more bang. The next but one generation will have LPDDR4 support which is what many are waiting for.
    If you want to give me your current items when you buy the above, please go ahead, I won't say no :) :wink: 
  • Reply 16 of 21
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 13,068member
    1983 said:
    Its increasingly seeming likely that Apple will go the way of Android handset makers by putting Touch ID on the back of the phone...not good! 
    No, it's not increasingly seemingly likely. 
    qwweramobiuswatto_cobramacgui
  • Reply 17 of 21
    suddenly newtonsuddenly newton Posts: 13,819member
    AI_lias said:
    Wow, the rumor mill is really spinning up now. Starting to see some common threads in all of them. One thing I am thinking about, is the "supercycle" everyone is talking about. It looks like it won't be a supercyle for a while, because Iphone 8 supplies might be constrained, and I don't think so many are waiting for the iPhone 7s. Unless they cut the price like they did for the iPad.
    Remember, this is a fiction perpetuated by the rumor mill. They're guessing what Apple is going to do, based on few sources. The echos of this rumor from all the corners of the Internet are just multiplying the same few rumors that got it all started.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 18 of 21
    saldogsaldog Posts: 48member
    Not a schematic
    [Deleted User]
  • Reply 19 of 21
    bestkeptsecretbestkeptsecret Posts: 4,276member

    That looks like the sink I recently bought. The sinkhole is missing though.

  • Reply 20 of 21
    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    I always imagine the person who stole these from the factory, "disappearing" days later. Their position on the production line filled immediately and not a mention to anyone of what happened, if they ask, they too disappear.
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