Roger Fingas
New purported schematics for Apple's "iPhone 8" show the rear of the device, possibly backing up claims that the product will switch to vertically-aligned lenses — albeit without a Touch ID sensor.
The schematics stem from an unknown source, but were shared on Twitter by Steve Hemmerstoffer, well known for the accuracy of his own leaks. If genuine they would presumably come from one of Apple's assembly partners like Foxconn, or a parts manufacturer such as Catcher.
The leak contrasts with a document that emerged last week, featuring a cutout on the back seemingly shaped for a Touch ID sensor. In its place is a large pad, presumably for some implementation of wireless charging technology.
Rear-mounted Touch ID is generally considered unlikely, but at the same time, the company has supposedly had trouble integrating a sensor into the phone's edge-to-edge, 5.8-inch OLED display, which should swap a physical home button for a virtual one. Apple could be forced to delay the product's launch, if it doesn't scrap embedded Touch ID entirely.
Multiple reports have backed the idea of Apple shifting to a vertical camera setup. While there might be some other technical advantages, at the least the arrangement might be better for shooting in landscape mode like a traditional camera.
The "iPhone 8" is expected to ship later this year, with some other features including a faster "A11" processor and wireless charging.
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30 Comments
This was so obvious I predicted it. A fingerprint scanner on the middle of the back of the phone? Really? Has to be the worst design idea I've heard in recent times. And you know how to make it worse? Put your rear camera right beside it and give the housing the same shape as the scanner—surely that'll fuck with user's minds. It'll certainly distract them from the fact that they are holding a potential grenade.
Big touch ID on the back. ;)
Tomorrow there will be another industry insider with a claim of an iPhone schematic that shows the finger print reader on the side of the device. Lets just keep throwing shit at the wall and see what sticks. Eventually, you'll get it right so you can claim you were right as always!
The big Touch ID on back is for your ass print. You've heard of butt-dialing? Now you can log in with the phone in your back pocket.
Majsric ninjaed my on the Touch ID joke. :smiley:
One interesting tidbit I'm obsessed with is what appears to be a second speaker slot at the top. It's been multiple schematics so far. There's the one that obviously looks like an ear speaker slot that would be either beneath the display or cut through the display. But there is another above it on the top edge or maybe the backside top edge. I wonder what that is. Microphone. The ear speaker is a combine load speaker and ear speaker like in the iPhone 7, and has two air openings like the Watch?
That whole sensor, speaker cluster up there is confounding actually. That's a lot of stuff to fit in that small a volume.