Foxconn working on wireless charging system for 'iPhone 8,' report says
Rumors surrounding a completely wire free next-generation iPhone continue to proliferate, with Foxconn now said to be testing wireless charging hardware that might see implementation in Apple's 2017 smartphone flagship.
Citing sources familiar with Foxconn's operations, Nikkei on Monday said the Apple contractor is producing batches of wireless charging modules for integration with next year's 10th anniversary iPhone.
Whether or not Foxconn's charging component will make it into the 2017 iPhone remains unclear, as the company is still working to boost yield rates to satisfactory levels, the source said. Apple ships tens of millions of iPhone units every quarter, and next year's version is expected to see unusually high demand thanks to a hotly anticipated design refresh.
Nikkei's report suggests wireless charging could be limited to a high-end premium model, reiterating rumors that Apple plans to reserve cutting edge features like OLED technology for a single top-of-the-line 5.5-inch flagship device. Last week, the publication issued a questionable report claiming Apple would add a 5-inch iPhone option in 2017, positioned between the 4.7- and 5.5-inch formats introduced with iPhone 6. Those claims were subsequently debunked by AppleInsider sources.
Apple has for years been rumored to integrate wireless charging systems into its smartphone line, but the technology has yet to materialize. Apple released its first inductive charging solution with Apple Watch and the Magnetic Charging Cable, a magnetic puck that draws energy from a USB power source. As with other wireless technologies, however, the system implemented with Apple Watch is relatively low-power and slow to charge.
Though Apple has not revealed future plans, evidence suggests the company is working on powerful technology that could enable long-distance charging. Beyond its own patents for inductive charging systems, the company recently hired two experts from uBeam, a firm developing technology that uses ultrasonic waves to charge devices from afar.
Most recently, reports in September implied Apple is on the hunt for manufacturers who can supply wireless charging capable of high energy applications like iPhone.
Along with a potential wireless charging solution, the so-called "iPhone 8" is rumored to incorporate a "glass sandwich" chassis with edge-to-edge AMOLED display.
Citing sources familiar with Foxconn's operations, Nikkei on Monday said the Apple contractor is producing batches of wireless charging modules for integration with next year's 10th anniversary iPhone.
Whether or not Foxconn's charging component will make it into the 2017 iPhone remains unclear, as the company is still working to boost yield rates to satisfactory levels, the source said. Apple ships tens of millions of iPhone units every quarter, and next year's version is expected to see unusually high demand thanks to a hotly anticipated design refresh.
Nikkei's report suggests wireless charging could be limited to a high-end premium model, reiterating rumors that Apple plans to reserve cutting edge features like OLED technology for a single top-of-the-line 5.5-inch flagship device. Last week, the publication issued a questionable report claiming Apple would add a 5-inch iPhone option in 2017, positioned between the 4.7- and 5.5-inch formats introduced with iPhone 6. Those claims were subsequently debunked by AppleInsider sources.
Apple has for years been rumored to integrate wireless charging systems into its smartphone line, but the technology has yet to materialize. Apple released its first inductive charging solution with Apple Watch and the Magnetic Charging Cable, a magnetic puck that draws energy from a USB power source. As with other wireless technologies, however, the system implemented with Apple Watch is relatively low-power and slow to charge.
Though Apple has not revealed future plans, evidence suggests the company is working on powerful technology that could enable long-distance charging. Beyond its own patents for inductive charging systems, the company recently hired two experts from uBeam, a firm developing technology that uses ultrasonic waves to charge devices from afar.
Most recently, reports in September implied Apple is on the hunt for manufacturers who can supply wireless charging capable of high energy applications like iPhone.
Along with a potential wireless charging solution, the so-called "iPhone 8" is rumored to incorporate a "glass sandwich" chassis with edge-to-edge AMOLED display.
Comments
I use and charge my iPhone in 4 locations: my bedroom, my desk at home, my car and at work. I'm not wasting money on a charging pad let alone several of them.
I'm not sure what else I want in my next cell phone. Honestly, they're great as they are. Wireless charging seems like a good feature to add. I like it on my watch. Can't say I care that much. The iPhone 7 really is a great phone.
This means a charging hub that remains connected to an electrical socket and can send signals maybe 20ft over the air to charge your phone while it's anywhere within that 20ft range. In our pocket, sitting on a counter, waking past, you get the idea. It's not an inductive charging pad that's slightly more convenient yet significantly slower and inefficient compared to wired charging.
I guess you still have the issue of buying several charging hubs, or whatever they'll call them, that'll cost way more than several extra charging cables. But with long distance wire-free charging, the benefits heavily outweigh the cost if you can afford them. If you can't afford $100 for extra charging hubs, then I guess wait a few years for prices to drop. Things cost money, good things cost more, and cheap things end up costing more in the end. That's just the saying; it's not a universal law of reality.
The issue seems to be the commercialization of a technology that offers about a 5 meter range. Evidently, Apple thinks it is worth pursuing.
Here's a more accurate, detailed one that's honest about shortcomings and reality:
http://www.inc.com/kevin-j-ryan/apple-hired-engineers-from-mark-cuban-backed-startup-ubeam.html
Yes. That's exactly why Apple used this on Apple Watch and not on iPhone. 1) a Watch is small so the lightning charging components were relatively big; better space saver with inductive charging. 2) Inductive charging is slower, less efficient, and not actually wireless. It's no better than wired charging, just different 3) You have to leave the phone on an inductive charging pad for it to charge. With wired charging, you can pick the phone up and use it. It's extremely awkward and impractical to hold the charging pad and phone while it's charging. So one step forward, two steps back kind of deal.
I'm convinced that's why Apple doesn't put "wireless" charging on iPhones like Samsung and others do on theirs. It's more of a gimmick. How many people do you know or have even seen with a wireless charging pad? I'd venture zero to a couple. Like me. It's not that widely used, doesn't offer more benefits than drawbacks. Works for tiny devices like watches with tiny batteries that you don't wear to bed so the slow charge over night isn't a big problem for tiny mAh batteries. I think that's why Apple is waiting on tech like long range, cordless, actual wireless charging that charges your phone anywhere within 15ft away. This is what this article is about.
Well Apple did drop the headphone jack; everybody I know including myself, can't stand wires. Plus the Lighting Jack headphones sound so much better too, but they have already said wireless charging is coming next year on the iPhone 8, it would be great if they brought out wireless charging that didn't use a wireless charging pad, that would really be awesome. I do really wish they would have done that with the iPhone 7 when they ditched the headphone jack, it would have made more sense for some people. But it will be interesting to see what they come out with next fall. One last thing I wish they would include a close all function so when you double tap your home button to close apps running in the background, so you can just close them all instead of each one at a time..
(Because they aren't "running in the background")
And yes those charging mats are useless but boasted about like "innovation". Problem is people use their phones while it's charging and they don't think about this while watching those Samscum commercials.
Funny he actually took the day off after this.
The only positive for the phone would be the elimination of the lightening port. But, is that actually a plus? I doubt it: it would mean switching out my extra charging cables as well as all non-wireless headphones and ear-pods. It would also eliminate my ability to backup my IPhone to my desktop.
B U T ! ! ! ! ! !
.... True wireless charging through the air without any cables or wire would be really innovative and new!
N O T ! ! ! ! ! !
.... It was done a 100 years ago! Time for Apple to catch up to ancient technology.
Tesla, the father of the AC current that we use today, demonstrated a form of wireless charging 100 years ago when he held an early version of a fluorescent light in his hand and it lit up from an energy source several feet away. From there he proceeded to attempt to build a substitute for what was to become our modern electric grid by building towers that would broadcast electrical power wirelessly to surrounding homes and businesses -- much like radio & cell phone towers do today. Unfortunately, he was never able to complete the experiment (or was it proof of concept?) after he ran out of funding...
So, Apple! Come on! You're a 100 years out of date. Time to catch-up!