By now, you probably feel like you know the drill. Every year Apple prepares the release of the new iPhone, offering mostly minor tweaks to their popular device. Bigger screen, storage space, no headphone jack. That type of thing.
Except Apple’s new iPhone 8 might undergo the most radical redesign in recent years. That is, if the rumors that have been slowly leaking out in anticipation of the new iPhone, which is expected to be about six months away, are to be believed. There will reportedly be three models, with the high-end version featuring an OLED curved display screen. (Your current iPhone utilizes a cheaper LCD display and cheaper models will retain this LCD display.) It will take up the entirety of the front screen, thereby eliminating the home button and touch ID.
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This high-end edition of the iPhone is also expected to cost close to $1,000, according to a Fast Company source. With the OLED screen and also a significant boost in battery life and memory, this isn’t too surprising. The iPhone 8 release will coincide with the 10th anniversary release of the original iPhone, and rumors have circulated Apple may call it the “iPhone X.” In addition, Fast Company reported “there’s even a chance that the physical buttons on the sides of the iPhone may go away, […] replaced by touch-sensitive inlays in the metal.”
The radical push forward for the iPhone is relatively exciting, adding many benefits and features to consumers. But according to the Wall Street Journal, Apple’s iPhone 8 could undergo some significant product designs that might dismay users. The new iPhone will ditch Apple’s “lightning” connector in favor of a USB-C port. This isn’t too surprising considering Apple’s Macbook line has already converted to the USB-C charger. (PC Mag offers a great explainer on the USB-C and why it’s beneficial to users.)
The WSJ article is behind a paywall, but here’s the essential information Gizmodo excerpted:
They said Apple would introduce other updates including a USB-C port for the power cord and other peripheral devices instead of the company’s original Lightning connector. The models would also do away with a physical home button, they said. Those updates would give the iPhone features already available on other smartphones.
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In other words, all your new third-party devices and headphones and chargers that utilize the lightning port will soon become obsolete. Just like when Apple originally converted to its lightning port in 2012, this is sure to produce some significant consternation from users. While it may be easier in some respect as Android and Apple users can share chargers (Android uses USB-C), anything spent on lightning product will be wasted money.
None of this is confirmed yet, so don’t raise the pitchforks yet. But as this report comes from the Wall Street Journal, it shouldn’t be disregarded. So maybe don’t buy that new charger or speaker anytime soon?
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