Previewed at WWDC, launching in the fall.
2017 iPhone to Feature Glass Design With Stainless Steel Frame on High-End Models
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has outlined further predictions for next year's iPhone lineup, claiming the popularity of Jet Black models will encourage Apple to return to glass casing for 2017 models, as the material tends to have a higher gloss finish than metal.While a glossy finish is possible for metal casing, we identify two prerequisites for the 2017 new iPhone to be competitive in terms of casing design, considering competitors will definitely launch smartphone models with glossy metal or glass casing prior to Apple’s launch: (1) adoption of a glossy finish design; (2) enhanced productivity and higher yield will prevent a supply shortage, as has happened with jet black casing, which is manufactured at an unsatisfactory yield rate of 60-70% due to the metal material; and (3) better scratch resistance will improve user satisfaction. All things considered, we see glass casing as the only option.Kuo believes Apple is more likely to stick with slightly curved 2.5D cover glass on the 2017 iPhone, as used on iPhone 6s, rather than adopt a fully curved 3D design, in light of mass production considerations and drop test performance. Kuo previously said Apple will launch a 5.8-inch iPhone with a curved OLED display and glass casing next year, which a subsequent report said will be a high-end model. The other models would retain LCD displays with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen sizes.
Kuo said the new glass casing will be reinforced by an aluminum metal frame, while stainless steel will be used for high-end models.
Metal frame can be stainless steel or aluminum, with former more likely for high-end models. As all-glass casing is not possible at present given technological bottlenecks, a metal frame surrounding the edge is necessary for reinforced structure design. As stainless steel has a better look than aluminum and costs more, we expect only high-end new iPhone models to come with a stainless steel frame next year.The analyst believes Foxconn will be the sole supplier of high-end iPhone models next year as the exclusive manufacturer of the new stainless steel frame. Meanwhile, glass material supplier Corning and glass casing makers Lens Technology and Biel Crystal are said to be beneficiaries of the new glass design.
Tags: KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 8 (Don't Buy), iPhone X (Caution)
[ 259 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
24 months ago
"High end models" ...
STAHP APPLE STAHP. If the high end model is a 4.7" size I am fine with that but stop forcing me to the bigger model for better stuff. Please.
STAHP APPLE STAHP. If the high end model is a 4.7" size I am fine with that but stop forcing me to the bigger model for better stuff. Please.
24 months ago
Sounds like Apple is becoming more comfortable with product fragmentation.
24 months ago
Why there is no news about kernel changes in objective-c?
mach/machine.h
Removed #def CPUFAMILY_INTEL_6_14 <https://developer.apple.com/reference/kernel/cpufamily_intel_6_14>
Removed #def CPUFAMILY_INTEL_6_15 <https://developer.apple.com/reference/kernel/1444924>
Removed #def CPUFAMILY_INTEL_CORE <https://developer.apple.com/reference/kernel/cpufamily_intel_core>
Removed #def CPUFAMILY_INTEL_CORE2 <https://developer.apple.com/reference/kernel/cpufamily_intel_core2>
Removed #def CPUFAMILY_INTEL_MEROM <https://developer.apple.com/reference/kernel/1444833>
Removed #def CPUFAMILY_INTEL_YONAH <https://developer.apple.com/reference/kernel/1444859>
Added a #def CPUFAMILY_ARM_HURRICANE
The plot thickens.
mach/machine.h
Removed #def CPUFAMILY_INTEL_6_14 <https://developer.apple.com/reference/kernel/cpufamily_intel_6_14>
Removed #def CPUFAMILY_INTEL_6_15 <https://developer.apple.com/reference/kernel/1444924>
Removed #def CPUFAMILY_INTEL_CORE <https://developer.apple.com/reference/kernel/cpufamily_intel_core>
Removed #def CPUFAMILY_INTEL_CORE2 <https://developer.apple.com/reference/kernel/cpufamily_intel_core2>
Removed #def CPUFAMILY_INTEL_MEROM <https://developer.apple.com/reference/kernel/1444833>
Removed #def CPUFAMILY_INTEL_YONAH <https://developer.apple.com/reference/kernel/1444859>
Added a #def CPUFAMILY_ARM_HURRICANE
The plot thickens.
24 months ago
I am hoping for a design that looks similar to the iPhone 4 and 4s. Maybe just lighter and stronger.
IMO this has been Apple's best design so far. The 5 design is not bad, but the 6 and 7 looks too much like every other phone on the market. The first time I saw the 6, I thought it was an Android phone.
IMO this has been Apple's best design so far. The 5 design is not bad, but the 6 and 7 looks too much like every other phone on the market. The first time I saw the 6, I thought it was an Android phone.
24 months ago
Sounds like you really didn't need the 7 to begin with.
Nobody ever really needs anything. Well, bar the usual stuff: air, food, beer.
But you know what I mean. You buy a new iPhone because you want to! Technically we could still all be rocking iPhone 5Cs without it being completely intolerable.
24 months ago
Damn I'm feeling some iPhone 7 buyers remorse.
Sounds like you really didn't need the 7 to begin with.
[ Read All Comments ]
In iOS 12, Apple has given users the tools to cut down on disturbances to get more time away from their devices if desired, and one of these new tools is an expanded set of Do Not Disturb options.
...
When Apple launched the iPhone X, a whole new set of gestures were introduced, changing the way that we were used to interacting with our iPhones.
One of these changes involved the App Switcher...
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Choetech to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an 18W USB-C Power Delivery Wall Charger.
This giveaway product is a little simpler...
The very first Apple Store opened its doors on May 19, 2001, at the Tysons Corner Center shopping mall in McLean, Virginia, near Washington D.C. Now, just over 17 years later, those doors may soon...
Uber this week announced a partnership with startup "Cargo," which aims to increase the wages of rideshare drivers by providing them with small containers filled with goods that riders can...
In iOS 12, Apple's digital health push includes a couple of special new features for iPhone and iPad users who want to cut down on their app usage: App Limits and Downtime. In this article,...
The latest proposed U.S. tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods name Apple Watch and other activity trackers assembled in China, according to government rulings. Reuters reports the latest...
WhatsApp says it is limiting the ability to forward messages to multiple chats at once in an attempt to reduce the spread of spam and misinformation.
The news follows WhatsApp's recent...
