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Apple iPhone 8 Update: Release Date, Design, Specs And Variants

By Swati Goyal
Published on: 20:44 PST, Oct 30, 2016

Apple iPhone 8 update rumors are gaining momentum, even though the dust on the recently released iPhone 7 is yet to settle down. Slated for release sometime next year as part of the tech giant refresh cycle, speculation is already rife about the likely twists to expect. For starters, there is talk that the phone could come in three variants with an improved battery as well as long distance charging capability.

Declining iPhone sales

Considering that Apple launched three iPhones this year, there is no denying that the same could be the case with the iPhone 8 as the race for market share heats up. However, it is unclear whether the three will all be related to the iPhone 8 given that iPhone 7 came in two variants according to LearnBonds. Fueling speculation of three iPhones next year is the fact that Apple is under immense pressure to reinvigorate iPhone sales.

China, which is the company’s most important marketplace after the U.S., is presenting a string of challenges on the competition front, something that the Apple iPhone 8 update could address. Premium consumers turning to cheaper phones is a point of concern for Apple as the same has significantly affected sales in the region.

“It’s a function of cheaper phones becoming good enough. Apple has done well at the upper end, but there’s not much more growth at the upper end of the market,” said Abhey Lamba of Mizuho Securities.

Xiaomi Oppo and Huawei unveiling products with features similar to iPhones at half the price is already calling for a strategy change. It now awaits to be seen if a change in pricing strategy will come into play with Apple iPhone 8 update if the company is serious about reinvigorating sales.

iPhone 8 Glass casing

When it comes to the design and features, multiple rumors are already sending shockwaves pointing to a completely different iPhone to what people have come to expect. In a bid to make it a game changer, Apple will reportedly go for an all-glass casing for the phone. IDROPNEWS goes on to claim that the glass body will also include a metal frame for holding back and front parts together.

GamenGuide claims that Apple might shift from the old TFT-LCD screens into the new OLED technology. Should Apple decide to come up with three variants of iPhone 8, then speculation is rife that the same could include a 4.7-inch, 5-inch, and 5.5-inch variant.

Apple being awarded Patent 9,466,653 for embedding light sensors is also fueling speculation that bezels above and below the iPhones will no longer be needed in future.

“In a typical device, a light sensor is laterally displaced from an active display region of the display along with a front face of the device,” Apple in a statement.

There are also reports that the new phone will come with eye sensors, pointing to added security features.

iPhone 8 8GB-4GB RAM

Apple iPhone 8 update rumors also have it that the new phone will come in different memory capacities compared to the previous models. Customers will reportedly be able to choose between a 64GB, 128GB and 256GB variant. When it comes to processing power, one of the phones will reportedly pack 4GB worth of RAM with another one coming with 8GB.

Powerful Camera

Mstars News also claims that a Li-On 28 mAh battery will power the device guaranteeing up to 18 hours of battery use on 4G. The outlet also claims that the phone will come with an A10 processor and run on iOS 11, which should be ready by then.

The Apple iPhone 8 update could also stick with the Home button but with added features and functionalities. Macworld also reports that the next iPhone’s camera would be as powerful as high-end video cameras with the inclusion of a light splitter system that can split received light into three colors. If history is anything to go by, then the iPhone 8 should be ready for sale in September 2017.

[Featured Image by Paul Sakuma/AP Images]

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