iPhone 8 Release Date, Specs Rumors: Upcoming Smartphone Will Have Curved Screen; Supports Lightning Connector
Recent rumors have it that the next iPhone will sport a curved screen following the appearance of Samsung's flagship smartphone's Edge series. On the other hand, the upcoming device is also expected to maintain its lightning connector support.
According to the Wall Street Journal, sources familiar to Apple's plans claim that the Cupertino-based company has already ordered ample units of "flexible display" for the iPhone 8. Earlier reports likewise say the iPhone 8 is going to be Apple's premium smartphone offering this year and will exclusively feature organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panels supplied by Samsung Display.
It was noted that OLED panels possess flexible qualities that allow manufacturers to bend the display, making the curved-edge screens possible. Added to that, the innovation seems to be highly marketable as well.
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The Wall Street Journal also mentioned that analysts say consumers in China – one of the largest markets in the world – are more compelled to buy a newer mobile device if its design and appearance is viewed as a "status symbol." Apple earlier introduced a major design revamp with the much thinner iPhone 6 which boosted the sales for the smartphone line.
It is understandable why smartphones with curved-edge screens are perceived as "status symbol" since in the past couple of years, the biggest manufacturers have been introducing premium variants identified with the curved display. So for Apple to join the hype might be a move to the right direction.
On the other hand, if Apple is expected to follow the curved-edge display trend, looks like it is skipping out on the USB Type-C ports and will stay with the lightning connector. WSJ mentions Apple could ditch the lightning connection for a USB-C. However, other sources were quick to disagree.
The deviation from the report are rooted to a recent forecast from the noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo saying (via Mac Rumors), "We believe all three new iPhones launching in 2H17 will support fast charging by the adoption of Type-C Power Delivery technology (while still retaining the Lightning port)."
And Kuo's very accurate forecasts in the past is enough reason to not rule out the lightning connection support just yet.
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 8, iPhone 7s, and iPhone 7s Plus this year.
