Mike Wuerthele
A purported Foxconn CNC model of the "iPhone 8" has surfaced online — but as with the diagrams leaked over the last two weeks, there is no way to tell how accurate the model is, or if it is even close to what Apple will ship.
Shared by twitter user VenyaGeskin1, the alleged "CNC model" shows the purported "iPhone 8" sporting an edge-to-edge screen with 2.5-D glass front and back. The publisher claims that there are dual-front cameras, a 4-millimeter bezel, the previously rumored vertical camera array, and a metal frame.
While the angles of the shot make it difficult to get any sense of dimensions, Geskin claims that it is 7.1 millimeters thick. In a follow-up tweet, he claims that the camera protrusion still exists, but this is not shown on the earlier photo of the "CNC model."
iPhone 8 Dummy (This is CNC model according to Foxconn)
— Benjamin Geskin (@VenyaGeskin1) April 23, 2017
Back is 2.5D Glass.#iPhone8 #iPhoneX #iPhoneEdition pic.twitter.com/Z8mH7b7z4r
There is no obvious Touch ID sensor on the back of the unit pictured. Yet another Tweet suggests that the design is "even more merged than S8" and "not like iPhone 4."
Geskin's Twitter biography notes that he makes "realistic renders based on rumors and leaks," casting even more doubt on the alleged leak.
While at this point in 2016 the final, external design of the iPhone 7 was one of several rumors being bandied about, the veracity of this model clearly cannot be authenticated.
On April 13, a sketchy diagram clearly labeled as an EVT, or Engineering Validation Test, appeared, featuring a device thicker than that of the iPhone SE, currently the thickest iPhone that Apple produces.
Later, on April 19, a schematic with the flash in the position that it is seen on on Friday's renders appeared. The measurements showed a phone with equal dimensions to the leak earlier in the week.
It is unclear if any of the "leaks" in the past two weeks are genuine product diagrams, fabrications from whole cloth, or engineering samples. Multiple reports have indicated that the company is still testing a variety of external case designs before fabrication begins, ahead of an anticipated September product unveiling.
The "iPhone 8" is predicted to sport an edge-to-edge OLED panel with a 5.1-inch user space — the rest dedicated to virtual buttons. Slimming or removing the bezels would allow Apple to cram a larger battery into a form factor similar in size to the 4.7-inch iPhone 7. Also expected is a new 3D facial scanner .
With a complete redesign said to be forthcoming in the device implementing a curved glass back with wireless charging, some reports have pegged the starting price of the "iPhone 8" at more than $1,000.
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10 Comments
I looks thicker to me but that's fine because I really think it looks nice . 💪🏼👍
Looks like the original iPhone.. so they can make a slide with the original vs 8 and pat themselves on the back for the progress that has been made. Its a fine looking device, but I like the 4, square edge, "Braun" look much better, its more masculine.
I have a hard time believing the rumors for this prototype.
The display will have a speaker hole cut through it on top. Then, something like 3 to 4 cameras and sensors will be able to work through the OLED display.
Why cut a hole in the OLED for the earpiece speaker? Just put it on the top edge or use bone conduction or whatever that display acoustic vibration tech is called. This particular aspect of the rumors, and mock ups that have it, is really insane.
Then, I still don't get how some of these sensors and cameras will worked through an OLED display.
Image pixels can maybe be lain in between OLED pixels. So, a low res camera can maybe be done. But, really? It can really work? Maybe there will be enough light that goes through the OLED pixels, they hit a 7 MP front cam, and software removes the distortions?
The proximity sensor I can more easily believe as if the density of the touch layer is dense enough for fingerprint reading, they can figure out it is an ear and turn off the display when holding up the phone to your head. Or a specific prox sensor can work through the OLED or the side of the OLED, and Apple can remove the effects of this prox sensor from the touch layer.
I would really love an iPhone 4 style device though. It's still the best ID of any Apple device so far imo.