We’ve learned a few things about what is coming soon from the minds at Apple. The iPhone 8 is expected to be announced on September 12. People are excited, with good reason. And while Apple hasn’t made any confirmations yet, we’ve heard a few things about the newest device that could impact that excitement level.
The iPhone has sold 1.2 billion units since the first one was unveiled in 2007, and chances are the trend of success (they’re second in sales only to Samsung products) will continue. But, for that to happen there needs to be more (and better) upgrades than wireless earbuds and fresh colors.
iPhone 8
Here are a few things you can expect from the iPhone 8:
A brand new (bigger?) screen
Yes, but not a bigger phone. The iPhone 8 will have a larger screen than the iPhone 7 Plus, but will be roughly the size to the iPhone 7. Win, win? The Plus is a beast. So yes. Word is the 8 will have a 5.8-inch screen that covers the entire surfaces area of the phone.
And size isn’t the only thing that matters: The screen is also expected to utilize OLED (organic light-emitting diode), an unlocked LCD display technology that allows individual pixels to shut off as needed within the screen (Android phones already use the same technology, for the record. Apple Watch does as well). This will allow for new display features similar to those found on the Apple Watch (floating text, etc); a superficial upgrade, but a necessary one to keep pace with high-end Android phones when it comes to aesthetics.
Rumors of facial recognition
It sounds like Apple is also introducing a face-scanning system that would recognize a user quickly and efficiently. Much more efficient, at least (and hands-free), than the fingerprint scanner that was initially being discussed. And, as the screen will dominate the phone, which ostensibly means that there won’t be a “home” button, it will be a necessary component.
And whole new worlds (on top of this one)
The iPhone 8 is also supposed to have a software update, iOS 11 (as we were told at the Worldwide Developers Conference back in June). iOS 11 will be playing around with ARKit, a new and better way to run augmented reality applications. The phone is also expected to have a rear-facing laser scanner that will better execute the augmented reality apps as well.
Augmented reality is, after all, so hot right now.
Which will run forever
iPhone 7 uses a 1,960 mAh battery. The iPhone 7 Plus uses a 2,900 mAh battery. The iPhone 8, so we’ve heard, is expected to have 2,700 mAh battery.
(maH = milliamp Hour, a unit that measures (electric) power over time)
As the iPhone 8 is ultimately only the size of the 7, which a battery nearly the size of the Plus (which ran longer than 24 hours), it will run all day (longer) long no matter what you’re trying to do with it.
These are not the (An)droids you’re paying for
But it’s expensive. More expensive than past iPhones. Maybe it’s for their tenth anniversary (Steve Jobs dropped the first iPhone back in 2007)? But there’s a new level of pricing and Apple wants $999 for the 8, and some can run as high as $1,400 (for more storage space).
Basically, you’re paying for a new laptop.
Basically, everything we’ve talked about so far had better be as cool (and work as well) as it sounds, as $1,400 for a new phone, when you can find an iMac for cheaper, is asking a lot.
Read this next: Best places to get your iPhone repaired in the Twin Cities
