If Apple hadn't introduced iPhone X at a special event on Tuesday, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus would have been its premium priced, stand-out smartphone models for 2017. But even with the new X shamelessly showing off, the relatively less exciting pair of 8s actually offer a compelling upgrade for buyers who want and need less than the absolute best, most expensive option in smartphones.
Rather than cook up its own unique version of wireless charging, Apple has instead decided to utilize the established Qi wireless charging method — an open standard run by the Wireless Power Consortium, which welcomed the news on Tuesday.
At its Tuesday press event Apple introduced the direct successors to 2016's iPhone 7 series, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus — equipped with 4.7- and 5.5-inch LCD displays, and the company's new six-core A11 Bionic processor.
While the iPhone X and iPhone 8 are expected to feature support for wireless inductive charging, customers will need to rely on accessories from third-party manufacturers at launch, with an unconfirmed rumor claiming Belkin and Mophie will be stepping up to the plate.
Though Apple is widely expected to introduce three new iPhone models with wireless charging capabilities at a special event on Tuesday, one industry insider believes the company will not debut its own charging accessory, leaving buyers to fend for themselves for the foreseeable future.
The golden master version of Apple's iOS 11 leaked out of Cupertino this weekend, revealing a number of new hardware and software features expected for unveiling at a special media event on Tuesday. AppleInsider runs you through it all, in just under 5 minutes.
More information gleaned from this weekend's iOS 11 GM leak point to memory allotments for Apple's upcoming iPhone models, with the top-end OLED-toting iPhone X and 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus to feature 3GB of RAM, while the 4.7-inch iPhone 8 will make do with 2GB.
This weekend's iOS 11 GM leak revealed — and confirmed — a multitude of new features and hardware set to debut this fall, likely spoiling a number of surprises Apple had in store for its special event next week. Taking a step back from the deluge of new information, at least one insider believes the early disclosure was perpetrated by a disgruntled employee.
With just a few days to go before Apple reveals its highly anticipated 10th-anniversary iPhone overhaul, the name of the mystery product may finally be known: iPhone X, according to the company's own iOS 11 golden master firmware.
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Daniel Eran Dilger
Neil Hughes
Roger Fingas
Mikey Campbell
AppleInsider Staff
