New photos of an alleged "iPhone 8" prototype have been shared on Twitter by Latvian student Benjamin Geskin, who allegedly obtains his information from Chinese sources in contact with him on WeChat and WhatsApp.
The prototype, if it's even real in the first place, likely isn't Apple's finalized design for its widely rumored 5.8-inch iPhone with an OLED display. Geskin himself expressed skepticism about the photos in his tweet.
Multiple reports have claimed the high-end iPhone will have an edge-to-edge display like Samsung's Galaxy S8, but the prototype pictured still has left and right bezels. The top bezel also lacks the 3D sensors expected.
“iPhone 8 Prototype, Inside tip” This ugly design, again? Hmm.. pic.twitter.com/qzlrEvl9XK — Benjamin Geskin (@VenyaGeskin1) June 29, 2017
One design aspect that is likely accurate is the lack of a Home button, as Touch ID is reportedly expected to be embedded into the display, or placed on the rear of the smartphone in the absolute worst case scenario.
The prototype appears to be stored in Apple's supposed "stealth" case, photos of which Australian leaker Sonny Dickson shared with MacRumors in February. The prototype is concealed by the front cover of an iPhone with a Home button.
Reports suggest the "iPhone 8" has faced multiple delays due to manufacturing challenges, but as production ramps up over the summer, better evidence of Apple's next smartphone should begin to emerge from within the supply chain.
Top Rated Comments
What these Chinese samples are, is apple/their supplier is shedding year old prototypes that they experimented with. Sending them out to the dumpster cause they don't matter anymore.
A lot of what we'll see, didn't make the cut. It's rejects. Remember the months leading up to the iPhone 5 release, and then the iPhone 6 release? All kinds of crazy permutations surfaced.
But running the Samsung Galaxy S8+ alongside my IPhone 7 Plus, I noticed the incredible battery life I am getting out of both phones, with the S8+ outstripping my IPhone 7 Plus due to OLED and dark mode and the current version of iOS draining battery fast (a temporary condition, I'm sure).
It could be even better for the S8+, except for Qualcomm and Android, if you know what I mean. If you don't know what I mean, Qualcomm can't even touch Exynos for battery efficiency, nevermind an Apple designed processor. And Android still lets some processes run amok at times. Though Android O might lay that to rest. We shall see. Meanwhile my iPhone 7 Plus does an impressive job keeping up with a smaller battery and an LCD display.
So anyway, I'm thinking an IPhone running on one of Apple's famously efficient processors, iOS, and an OLED display is going to be a battery beast. I want in on that. I'll be staying up button mashing for a preorder after all. If I fail, Christmas or Valentines Day, then. I'm a grownup. I can wait.
I don't care if it's pretty or not. I'm betting it will at least be cute. It can't be any funkier looking than my iPhone 7 Plus. And if it is, I'll get a nice looking case.