Rumor: Apple's iPhone wireless charging accessory might not ship with 'iPhone 8,' 'iPhone ...
Wireless charging is expected make its way to Apple's iPhone lineup this fall, but the tentpole feature might not be ready in time to launch with the next-generation handsets, a new rumor suggests.
In a tweet on Friday, well-connected blogger John Gruber reiterated rumors claiming Apple will not include an inductive charger with "iPhone 8" or "iPhone 7s" and instead plans to sell the accessory as a separate item. Citing unnamed sources, he goes on to say that Apple is having issues implementing wireless charging technology.
"I've heard that inductive charging will (a) be sold separately, and (b) might be late, waiting for iOS 11.1 (a la Portrait mode last year)," Gruber said, adding in a later tweet, "I'm not sure if the holdup is hardware or software. And they could catch up in next three weeks."
As with prior iPhone debuts, Apple's upcoming models are expected to ship with the next-generation iOS version, iOS 11, built in. Gruber's mention of iOS 11.1 suggests wireless charging might not be ready when "iPhone 8" and "iPhone 7s" launch this fall, the operative term being "might." Still, Apple has a couple months to work out the kinks before the anticipated September hardware debut.
Like any unsubstantiated claim, Gruber's missive should be taken with a hefty grain of salt. That said, the blogger's sources have in the past provided accurate information.
Apple is expected to release three new handset models in 2017. A follow-up "iPhone 7s" series set to take the place of current iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models will likely boast the usual assortment of component improvements while keeping external aesthetics largely unchanged.
The real show-stopper, "iPhone 8," is rumored to usher in an entirely new design with full-face OLED display, an embedded below-screen Touch ID module, 3D scanning front-facing cameras and more.
Reports have indicated that both "iPhone 7s" and "iPhone 8" will feature wireless charging. Neither model is said to ship with the dedicated accessory required for cord-free charging, leaving it up to customers to decide whether the feature is worth the extra money.
In a tweet on Friday, well-connected blogger John Gruber reiterated rumors claiming Apple will not include an inductive charger with "iPhone 8" or "iPhone 7s" and instead plans to sell the accessory as a separate item. Citing unnamed sources, he goes on to say that Apple is having issues implementing wireless charging technology.
"I've heard that inductive charging will (a) be sold separately, and (b) might be late, waiting for iOS 11.1 (a la Portrait mode last year)," Gruber said, adding in a later tweet, "I'm not sure if the holdup is hardware or software. And they could catch up in next three weeks."
As with prior iPhone debuts, Apple's upcoming models are expected to ship with the next-generation iOS version, iOS 11, built in. Gruber's mention of iOS 11.1 suggests wireless charging might not be ready when "iPhone 8" and "iPhone 7s" launch this fall, the operative term being "might." Still, Apple has a couple months to work out the kinks before the anticipated September hardware debut.
Like any unsubstantiated claim, Gruber's missive should be taken with a hefty grain of salt. That said, the blogger's sources have in the past provided accurate information.
Apple is expected to release three new handset models in 2017. A follow-up "iPhone 7s" series set to take the place of current iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models will likely boast the usual assortment of component improvements while keeping external aesthetics largely unchanged.
The real show-stopper, "iPhone 8," is rumored to usher in an entirely new design with full-face OLED display, an embedded below-screen Touch ID module, 3D scanning front-facing cameras and more.
Reports have indicated that both "iPhone 7s" and "iPhone 8" will feature wireless charging. Neither model is said to ship with the dedicated accessory required for cord-free charging, leaving it up to customers to decide whether the feature is worth the extra money.
Comments
With dozens of 'Apple is Doomed', 'iOS is old, boring and [redacted]' comments here.
There are a lot of finnicky Apple users around and most of them seem to comment in places like this.
After all the rumors if apple hasn't implemented the TouchId (fingerprint sensor) through the OLED screen on the iPhone 8 then its not worth it. Save your money till next year. If they have then its worth it. If Qualcomm can get some sort of through screen fingerprint scanner working in a demo then Apple has to be able to do the same, I'm sure they have been working on this technology for atleast 3 years. I have an 80% confidence about a finger print scanner.
So this year they will sell the iphone 8, 7S, and 7. Then next year they will sell the iphone 8S Plus, 8S, 8 and 7S?
(If you're 13 or younger, Jeff Goldblum will be answering your question. That's the only audience who finds him credible.)
Someone figured out the pixie dust dispenser.
You also seem to be claiming “Jobs never have allowed prices to rise” which flies in the face of reason.
It’s as if you’re overlooking all the things you’re already getting for that premium price – the build quality, the longest supported mobile OS, and the additional pro-level features.
I think it's a very valid point considering the 'Pro' nature and price of the device.
As things stand, it reeks of a cheap move to push revenues up a little more. I wonder what the real price difference is for Apple between the standard charger and the 29W charger.
I must admit that I haven't been following the pro models very closely so I don't know 100% if the OP is correct in his claims but after some quick searching, it seems to be a legitimate complaint and one that I (no doubt you will add 'unsurprisingly') agree with.
I take the point that they should include the 29W charger. I do kind of agree. However, I don't think it's a blatant money grab, I think the reasons they haven't are more complicated than that.
And I certainly do not agree that they should include the Pencil with the iPad Pro.
In the case of the charger, I think it's similar to the reason that they didn't go with USB-C chargers for iPhones last year. They are still selling a large number of these devices to people who need a USB-A cable to connect to their computer. If they included the 29W charger, they'd need to include a USB-C to Lightning cable. Do they then include a USB-A to Lightning cable as well? If they don't, what do they do about the people who complain that they have to buy it separately. Not everyone has USB-A to Lightning cables coming our their ears.
Also, the 29W charger isn't necessary to use the iPad. It will charge fine using the 12W charger. It's like how they still ship the iPhone with a 5W charger. They could ship it with the 12W charger, and it would charge faster, but they don't need to.
The same applies to the Pencil. You don't need the Pencil to use an iPad Pro. Apple sees the Pencil the same way it sees the Smart Keyboard, it's an add on, not an essential part of the package. You can use an iPad Pro, and take advantage of a number of its features and improvements over the non-Pro iPad, without either of these devices. And in all likelihood, the majority of people who buy one will never need to get a Pencil or a Smart Keyboard. (Odd no-one's complaining that they don't include the Smart Keyboard in the box. I wonder why that is.)
Where the price does come into consideration is how much it would cost Apple to include a 29W charger and a Pencil in every box. Arguably, the 29W charger wouldn't be much more of a price to absorb over the 12W, but the Pencil is a different proposition. If they included a Pencil, they would probably see that as putting the base price of the iPad Pro up by, say US$50-100. From their perspective, it is better to keep that price lower, and not include an accessory that many users don't need, only to have people complain about the cost being "too high" and including something that's of no use to them.
A more likely scenario than "Apple just want people to pay over more money" is that, in order to keep the sticker price lower, they ship with a minimal working set that the vast majority of purchasers will never upgrade. They'll get the better screen, the faster processor, the side-by-side multitasking, and they'll be happy. If you want to use a keyboard, you can choose to buy one from Apple, or from Logitech or whoever. If you want a Pencil, you can buy it.