Sketchy images of Apple's 'iPhone 8' differ on rear-mounted fingerprint sensor [u]
A series of images posted to Chinese social media on Wednesday are claimed to show Apple's "iPhone 8," but differ significantly from some rumors, and also appear to contradict each other. [Updated with clone allegations]
One pair of photos posted to Weibo show a device with a buttonless front panel, and a twin-lens, vertically-aligned camera on the back. Significantly the rear also appears to have a Touch ID sensor, and lack any glass.
The "iPhone 8" is typically expected to have a glass back for the sake of wireless charging, and embed Touch ID in its 5.8-inch OLED display. Some earlier rumors did suggest that Apple might resort to a rear Touch ID sensor due to production problems, but those may have been resolved.
The images also include a white model in addition to silver, gold, and matte/jet black colors. Apple hasn't sold a "true" white iPhone since 2011's iPhone 4s.
Meanwhile, a render noticed on Weibo by MobileXpose appears to share many of the same traits, but without rear Touch ID.
None of the images depict the new iPhone in rose gold, which might imply that Apple is planning to discontinue the color -- assuming one or more of the images is authentic. Even if they're not fakes, the phones with rear-mounted Touch ID could still be prototypes Apple abandoned in favor of later designs.
The "iPhone 8" should ship later this year, but mass production may have to wait until October or November, putting a crush on initial shipments. In the meantime Apple should have two "iPhone 7s" models using 4.7- and 5.5-inch LCDs, blending some features of the "8" into an upgraded iPhone 7.
Update: Leaker Benjamin Geskin claimed that the first two images depict a clone product, based on an early Apple prototype.
One pair of photos posted to Weibo show a device with a buttonless front panel, and a twin-lens, vertically-aligned camera on the back. Significantly the rear also appears to have a Touch ID sensor, and lack any glass.
The "iPhone 8" is typically expected to have a glass back for the sake of wireless charging, and embed Touch ID in its 5.8-inch OLED display. Some earlier rumors did suggest that Apple might resort to a rear Touch ID sensor due to production problems, but those may have been resolved.
The images also include a white model in addition to silver, gold, and matte/jet black colors. Apple hasn't sold a "true" white iPhone since 2011's iPhone 4s.
Meanwhile, a render noticed on Weibo by MobileXpose appears to share many of the same traits, but without rear Touch ID.
None of the images depict the new iPhone in rose gold, which might imply that Apple is planning to discontinue the color -- assuming one or more of the images is authentic. Even if they're not fakes, the phones with rear-mounted Touch ID could still be prototypes Apple abandoned in favor of later designs.
The "iPhone 8" should ship later this year, but mass production may have to wait until October or November, putting a crush on initial shipments. In the meantime Apple should have two "iPhone 7s" models using 4.7- and 5.5-inch LCDs, blending some features of the "8" into an upgraded iPhone 7.
Update: Leaker Benjamin Geskin claimed that the first two images depict a clone product, based on an early Apple prototype.
Comments
at at some point, we will know, as we get "real" close to release, and an actual back pops up. Then, whoever was lucky enough to get their guess right will make waves about it.
im not even thinking about it yet. I bought a 7+, as did my wife and daughter. None of US are interested in going back to smaller screens anyway, so it's highly unlikely that we would buy an 8, no matter what it is, or does. We'd rather wait until next year and see if it moves to the + sized screen.
But yeah, it looks like an April fools joke.
This isn't anything real.
No Apple doesn't have a history of crappy experiences but sometimes they get it wrong like when the latest Apple TV was released with no BT keyboard or remote app support. Or even the Apple Pencil, which I love. I wish it had a power switch. I carry it with me in my work briefcase. Sometimes when I haven't used it in a while and go to use it the battery is almost dead. Sure I can stick in the iPad and get some juice pretty quick but would it have killed them to add a little on/off switch? Sometimes functionality and practicality trump purity.
update: they have already been identified as clones
The ones with the TouchID on the back are fake too. See the mic hole and the flash outside the camera bump, those are not even aligned with the cameras.
the other rumor is that it works, but that the part is difficult to build, and so yields are still lower than needed for timely release.
im not yet ready to believe it's all working the way they want.