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Apple's iPhone Casing Supplier Says 'Only One Model' Will Shift to Glass in 2017

Thursday May 19, 2016 11:52 am PDT by Juli Clover
iphone_4s_2015Apple plans to adopt a glass body for at least one iPhone model set to debut in 2017, reports Nikkei, citing a statement from Catcher Technology CEO Allen Horng. Catcher Technology is one of Apple's main suppliers for the casing of the iPhone.

According to Horng, Apple is planning to use glass for the casing of the 2017 iPhone to differentiate itself from the multitude of aluminum-bodied smartphones on the market.
"As far as I know, only one [iPhone] model will adopt glass casing next year," Horng told reporters after the annual shareholder meeting on Thursday. "I don't think this move will have an impact on Catcher's revenue as glass casing still needs a durable metal frame which requires advanced processing technology and would not be cheaper than the current model."
Horng does not expect Apple's transition to glass to impact Catcher's business because Apple will still be using a metal frame for the device. Horng says there will be no Apple iPhone using a glass-only casing without a metal frame in 2017.

The information sourced from Catcher Technology aligns with predictions from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has also said Apple will use a glass-backed design for the 2017 iPhone. Kuo has also indicated that a glass body may only be present in some of the devices planned for 2017, suggesting Apple may release a mix of glass-bodied and aluminum-bodied devices if more than one iPhone is planned.

The 2017 iPhone is rumored to be a radical upgrade to the iPhone, so it is not clear if Apple will stick with its 4.7 and 5.5-inch screen sizes, introduce new screen sizes, or consolidate down to a single iPhone once again. From Kuo:
In 2017, the ratio of new iPhone models using aluminum casing will likely drop significantly from current 100% to 40% or less. In addition to reiterating our view from the March 25 report, we believe the share of new iPhone models using aluminum casing will significantly fall from the current 100% to 40% or less.
Apple last used glass for the body of the iPhone 4s in 2011, with devices since the iPhone 5 in 2012 featuring aluminum bodies. In 2017, Apple may pair the iPhone's glass body with an edge-to-edge OLED display that includes a Touch ID sensor embedded into the glass, doing away with the home button for a sleek, all-glass look.

Because of the major changes rumored for the 2017 iPhone, there is speculation that Apple will name the device the "iPhone 8" rather than the "iPhone 7s" to denote its status as a significant upgrade.

Related Roundup: iPhone 8
[ 118 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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Corrode
44 months ago
Back to this.
Rating: 31 Votes
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Goldfrapp
44 months ago
Don't care about glass. Which model will shift to wood?
Rating: 26 Votes
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2457282
44 months ago

why would you fragment these things


So basically, more fragmentation. As if things weren't complicated enough. How about just releasing the same specs and the same design in different sizes?


Fragmentation --

Rating: 23 Votes
Avatar
Tim Chef
44 months ago
iPhone 7 rumour same body style - people go ape sh.t.

2017 iPhone rumour different body style - people go ape sh.t.
Rating: 21 Votes
Avatar
chrismail627
44 months ago
So basically, more fragmentation. As if things weren't complicated enough. How about just releasing the same specs and the same design in different sizes?
Rating: 19 Votes
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decimortis
44 months ago

Unless its near the size of an iPad mini i'll be getting the glass one and definitely using it naked, whilst you all get metal ones and wrap them in Chinese plastic and screen protectors :p


There's nothing wrong with using a phone with your clothes on, either.
Rating: 17 Votes
Avatar
Jack Delgado
44 months ago
Early 2016: iPhone 2017 will have a radical redesign, OLED screen, glass body, flush camera, no bezels
Mid 2016: Okay... so it looks like some of the iPhones will have a glass body.
Late 2016: Only some iPhones will have an OLED screen due to supply constraints
Early 2017: iPhone Pro Plus to adopt in-screen fingerprint technology, iPhone 4.7 retains home button
Mid 2017: Chassis for both phones revealed, iPhone Plus Pro has glass body, no bezels, no home button
Late 2017: iPhone 7C Anniversary Edition released, made of plastic and featuring 3 home buttons ($1099 for 16GB model)--other phones mysteriously absent, replaced in the lineup by watch bands made of cheddar cheese.
Rating: 15 Votes
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Dr.Chroma
44 months ago

Back to this.


I never had this issue. Your mileage may vary. There are mishaps with Phones, don't blame the glass. So if I drop my iPhone 6s and the screen shatters, should I say "Back to this."
Rating: 14 Votes
Avatar
BB8
44 months ago
It always seems so strange to me that people complain about glass phones because the back might shatter. If you drop your phone you risk shattering the display, too. You should never be dropping your phone. If you find yourself dropping your phone frequently, buy a case.
Rating: 14 Votes
Avatar
igorsky
44 months ago

iPhone 7 rumour same body style - people go ape sh.t.

2017 iPhone rumour different body style - people go ape sh.t.


Macrumors in a nutshell!
Rating: 13 Votes

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