Rumor: Apple to begin 'iPhone 8' production earlier than usual with more stringent inspect...

Posted:
in iPhone edited February 2017
While the handsets are still on track to launch September, Apple's 2017 iPhone lineup --?led by an anticipated high-end OLED model --?is rumored to go into production earlier than the usual timeframe, in a move that could allow the company more time to iron out kinks associated with new technology.

'iPhone 8' concept rendering by Marek Weidlich.


Citing its usual sources in the supply chain, DigiTimes reported on Friday that Apple has asked its chip and component suppliers to start trial production and inspection and begin preparing their inventories for this year's new iPhone series at an earlier point in the year than usual. Specifically, parts and chips are expected to be delivered to Apple late in the first quarter of 2017.

In particular, Apple is rumored to be looking to get a head start on the "iPhone 8," which is rumored to introduce a wide array of new technologies, headlined by an edge-to-edge OLED display. The report suggested that suppliers in Taiwan will begin working on OLED panel bonding for the "iPhone 8," with screens provided by Samsung Display, around the end of the first quarter.

Supply chain sources suggested that Apple has implemented stricter inspection requirements for chips, components, modules and mechanical parts for its 2017 iPhone lineup. That would suggest that Apple could be using the extra time to make sure the new technology in this year's iPhone lineup will arrive in the hands of customers with minimal to no issues.

Finally, Friday's report also reiterated claims that the "iPhone 8" or "iPhone X" will boast wireless charging and an iris scanner for secure logins via camera. It suggested supply chain sources are "generally optimistic" about how well it will be received by the market.

It should be noted that DigiTimes has an unreliable track record in predicting Apple's future product plans. Though the publication does occasionally provide accurate information from Apple's supply chain, it frequently gets both timing and features wrong on upcoming products.

Still, details from the report --?including the continued expectations that new iPhones will stick to a September launch -- align with current expectations.

Apple is heavily rumored to debut three new iPhones later this year in September, headlined by a premium "iPhone X" that could cost more than $1,000. It's expected to boast a glass back and curved edge-to-edge 5.2-inch OLED display that will conceal components like the earpiece speaker, Touch ID and FaceTime camera beneath the screen.

In addition, Apple is also expected to launch successors to the iPhone 7 series in similar designs, sized with the same 4.7- and 5.5-inch screens. It is rumored that those handsets will stick with LCD technology for their displays, while the OLED iPhone will have a "considerably better" panel, helping to justify its jumbo-sized price tag.

According to well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, all three 2017 iPhones will feature wireless charging technology, though the OLED model will need a new thin graphite sheet component to prevent overheating.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 25
    Pretty sceptical about that "iris scanner" rumour. Seems like it would be really hard to do that in a way that even approaches the practicality of TouchID.
    irelandMikeymikerandominternetpersonleviwatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 25
    slurpyslurpy Posts: 5,382member
    How many people ACTUALLY use any eye scanning/face scanning bullshit to unlock their Samsung phones or whatever? The number is probably infinitesimally small.
    caliStrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 25
    williamhwilliamh Posts: 1,032member
    I find touchID very convenient. I hope and expect that it stays.  I suppose Apple is getting an early start because they're spooked by Samsung's recent experience.  There are supposed to be a lot of new components, etc so I suppose they're being particularly cautious.

    gatorguy
  • Reply 4 of 25
    DigiTimes, folks. Nothing to see here. Move along... move along...
    1983kuduwatto_cobra[Deleted User]
  • Reply 5 of 25
    calicali Posts: 3,494member
    iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone 10.
    I like how the "insiders" can't agree on a name. I wouldn't be surprised if they're all wrong and it's called iPhone 7S.
    linkmanStrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 25
    irelandireland Posts: 17,798member
    7 months of rumours incoming.
    1983kudu
  • Reply 7 of 25
    irelandireland Posts: 17,798member
    cali said:
    iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone 10.
    I like how the "insiders" can't agree on a name. I wouldn't be surprised if they're all wrong and it's called iPhone 7S.
    Considering an updated 7 alongside this new phone is very likely, the chances of the totally new design being called 7s is highly unlikely.
    1983
  • Reply 8 of 25
    Rayz2016Rayz2016 Posts: 6,957member
    jensonb said:
    Pretty sceptical about that "iris scanner" rumour. Seems like it would be really hard to do that in a way that even approaches the practicality of TouchID.
    Agreed, the iris scanner is not going to happen. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 25
    % chance of Return of the Headphone socket...?
  • Reply 10 of 25
    If Digitimes is wrong half the time, honest question, why are we even reading about it? 
    lmagoo
  • Reply 11 of 25
    NY1822NY1822 Posts: 621member
    "It suggested supply chain sources are "generally optimistic" about how well it will be received by the market."

    bc thats who Apple relies on for their market research to come up with designs, Supply chains.
    randominternetpersonStrangeDays
  • Reply 12 of 25
    19831983 Posts: 1,225member
    1000 Dollars...pricey! As for the iris scanner, if Apple can make it as practical to use as Touch ID, then great, if not then don't include it.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 13 of 25
    Rayz2016 said:
    Agreed, the iris scanner is not going to happen. 
    Perhaps an Iris Scanner is in addition to Touch ID, not instead of it.

    That would allow people to use it when appropriate, without losing the familiarity of Touch ID.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 14 of 25
    So.
    Analyst throwing spaghetti at the wall; or Apple throwing spaghetti at the wall?
    It's one or the other.
  • Reply 15 of 25
    spice-boyspice-boy Posts: 1,450member
    I have owned 4 iPhones since Steve Jobs introduced the very first model. I held onto that little miracle until the iPhone 4 came out. I replaced the iPhone 4 with the 5 when the ear speaker stopped working days after the warranty expired. I had no choice to buy the 5 at that time (it's my work phone) and held onto that until the large screen 6s came out, my eyes are not what they use to be otherwise I would have stuck with the 5 which is still my favorite design for an iPhone. I am not thrilled with the river bed rock slippery new form, I never dropped the earlier models. Some will suggest a case, sorry those things add thickness and are pretty ugly to me. I hope future models will bring back a form which is easier to hold and not just be about looking great in ads and tv commercials. 
  • Reply 16 of 25
    jungmarkjungmark Posts: 6,926member
    Making shit up to temper sales of the current iPhone. 

    Lets hope apple learns from Sammy and not pack it "full of innovations". /s

    Iris scanner is useless if I need to take my glasses/sunglasses off. 
  • Reply 17 of 25

    "Specifically, parts and chips are expected to be delivered to Apple late in the first quarter of 2017"

    In other (more clear) words "next month"?  That does seem radically/unrealistically early.

  • Reply 18 of 25

    Note to Apple.  Please get all the bugs out of this so called new design.  We don't need another bendgate, batterygate. ect. 

    watto_cobra
  • Reply 19 of 25
    levilevi Posts: 344member
    slurpy said:
    How many people ACTUALLY use any eye scanning/face scanning bullshit to unlock their Samsung phones or whatever? The number is probably infinitesimally small.
    None - the only one that had it (I believe) to this point was Note 7. Iris scanner would cumbersome. A face scanner could be great as an option or for two factor. No more codes!
  • Reply 20 of 25
    linkmanlinkman Posts: 1,035member
    dtb200 said:
    % chance of Return of the Headphone socket...?
    Slim to none. It is getting less important every second with people buying wireless headphones.
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