Malcolm Owen
A Taiwanese report claims that Apple may revive the iPhone 8 with updated internals early in 2020, but analysts are wary of the proposition.
Apple's current generation of iPhones has moved the product line towards edge-to-edge displays and the use of Face ID instead of Touch ID for security. While the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR are thought to be the high-end of the Apple product range for iPhones, it is thought that there needs to be a mid-tier model.
Named specs by the report are the "A13" processor expected in the 2019 flagship releases, 128GB of storage, and as single-lens camera. In regards to the processor, Apple took a similar approach with the iPhone SE, using the same A9 processor as the iPhone 6s that was released six months prior.
Apple used the iPhone SE as a budget-friendly offering for emerging markets, and still manufactures it in India.
According to the Economic Daily, Apple will produce a "new iPhone 8," a retread of the smartphone with a 4.7-inch display and lacking elements like Face ID and the TrueDepth camera array. Though a potentially attractive proposition, there is apparently some talk from analysts that it may not be the best idea.
Pointing out the use of high-, mid-, and low-tier devices sold by HTC and Samsung, the unnamed analysts cited in the report suggest the strategy is a failure. While high-end and low-end devices dominate sales, like selling the iPhone SE and the iPhone XS, mid-tier devices are apparently failing to perform, a category an updated iPhone 8 would certainly fit within.
It is suggested the strategy of "old bottle, new wine" isn't innovative enough for the company. Introducing a mid-tier device may canibalize Apple's upper-end model sales, analysts propose, which may not help Apple's overall performance.
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25 Comments
An "XR" with a smaller screen would appeal to some users and I think would sell in enough quantities to justify its existence in the lineup.
Yesterday I read a rumor of the SE being revived, with all screen and 4.7 size. Maybe that's the same rumor. I think it would sell, to have 8 screen size in SE frame.
I hope this rumour is true. I don’t trust Face ID because it bombards my retinas with infrared laser dots (which can’t be healthy). I much prefer the good old fashioned home button on my iPhone 8. It feels good to touch, is super quick and helps me orientate my phone - even in the dark or when it’s in my pocket.
Also, edge to edge screens are just another gimmick - like those frameless reading glasses in the early 90’s. A well designed frame can accentuate the content of a screen, like it does on the iPhone 8 (without silly notches and curved corners). Indeed the iPhone 8 has a perfectly adequate screen size at 4.7 inches and it’s overall proportions are great.
I love my Xr, but give me one that is 4.7" and I'd be thrilled. Like some other posters, I'm not a huge fan of face ID. It works great for me 99.9% of the time so for me it isn't a reliability issue. It is more reliable than thumb print because I hated not being able to open my phone with any moisture on my hand. But I too used the home button to orient my phone when popping out of pocket. Now I have to use the rear camera. I hate that face ID doesn't work when I wake up in the morning and am lying in bed. Oh well, extreme first world issue there.
I just want a smaller screen, that doesn't require me to scrooch the phone around to accurately reach the upper corners of a web browser. I'm 6'2", I don't have small hands. I have no idea how people with small hands can use this phone.