Apple’s latest flagship phone, which will be running iOS11, finally has a face. Phone case design company Nodus recently shared CAD drawings of the new iPhone 8 design, which were rendered by Forbes’ Gordon Kelly “to visualise the final design”. Forbes confirms speculation that the iPhone 8 will come without the traditional touch-ID home button, leaving room for “an elongated and enlarged 5.8-inch” AMOLED display.
Without the home button, it is still unclear whether Apple will integrate the touch-ID within the display. Previously, it was also considered that Apple will place touch-ID on the back of the phone – although the images confirm that this is not true. It is also confirmed that Apple has acquired a patent to add Touch ID into the Sleep/Wake button. The images also reveal a vertical rear camera instead of the horizontal rear camera that was seen on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
Forbes confirms one thing that will definitely remain the same: the Lighting port. According to Kelly, “there will be will no switch to USB Type-C on the iPhone 8 despite its widespread adoption on MacBooks”.
However, these new and ambitious adjustments to the iPhone model have come at the cost of delays. According to a Chinese newspaper cited by Digitimes, the phone may not launch until the holiday season in December. Instead, it is suggested the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus will be released with a few minor tweaks in September instead.
The new iPhone 8 is also rumoured to start at a whopping $1200 which has definitely affected the consumers’ decisions on whether or not they will be purchasing it.
If it cost less than $1200
— YoungPlutus (@mandyIagwatu) July 16, 2017
Less than 1000 would be nicer
— L8_CREATIVS (@L8_Creativs) July 16, 2017
no thanks I’m poor
— Jordan (@JORDANLEWlS) July 16, 2017
Despite the hefty price tag, some are still loyal to the Apple brand and are confident about a hike in sales upon the release of the new flagship.
It will be the highest selling iPhone.
— iFans.com (@ifanscom) July 16, 2017
I’m all in for iPhone 8
— Dejon? (@AfroLouie) July 16, 2017
i want the iphone 8 to come out already smh i need a new phone
— cade (@CadeStone_) July 17, 2017
It is also important to keep in mind that once the iPhone 8 hits Pakistan, it will cost much more than the original price. This has been true for every new iPhone release over the past few years: local retailers often price the phone at nearly double the MSRP after adding duties and taxes during the first few weeks succeeding release. Despite all odds, however, loyal Apple fans still find the upgrade worth it. The iPhone 8 will be Apple’s tenth anniversary flagship phone.