2017 iPhone Will Include Edge-to-Edge Display With 'Virtual Button' Built Into Screen

[MacRumors]

In the midst of the publication of multiple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus reviews, one tidbit within The New York Times' mostly positive review of the 2016 iPhone briefly looked forward to the much-anticipated "mega cycle," ten-year anniversary model of next year's iPhone. According to the publication, who spoke with two anonymous Apple employees, "next year's iPhone will have a full-screen face with the virtual button built directly into the screen."

While not new information, the comment does continue a rumor of a drastically redesigned iPhone in 2017 that will introduce an edge-to-edge OLED display and eliminate the top and bottom bezels, where the front-facing FaceTime camera and Touch ID Home Button are currently housed. The redesigned Home Button of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (which isn't an actual button, but packs in Apple's Taptic Engine to mimic a button press) will be completely gone in 2017, and fused with the OLED display, along with Touch ID functionality.

But taking the leap to the 7 may be a wise bet, even for late technology adopters. Apple is likely to continue making iPhones without headphone jacks, and next year's iPhone will have a full-screen face with the virtual button built directly into the screen, according to two people at the company who spoke on condition of anonymity because the product details are private. Apple declined to comment on next year's iPhones.

With an all-glass, edge-to-edge display, Apple design chief Jony Ive's vision of an iPhone that looks like a single sheet of glass could finally come true in 2017. Regarding the display, it's said to be flexible OLED rather than an LCD, allowing Apple to introduce a thinner device that consumes less power and offers a better display with higher contrast ratio and more true to life colors.

It may also feature edges that are curved on both sides, similar to the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. That curved model could potentially be placed as a 5.8-inch premium addition to the line, with the other 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch, lower-priced iPhone 8 tiers including flat LCD displays.

Coming up sooner, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be launching this Friday, September 16, to the first round of pre-order customers. While an iterative design, Apple has made a few notable changes to the iPhone line this year, including the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack, a flush Home Button, improved water resistance, and major overhauls to the camera, especially with the dual-lens system on the iPhone 7 Plus.

(Thanks, Anthony!)

Article Link: 2017 iPhone Will Include Edge-to-Edge Display With 'Virtual Button' Built Into Screen

 

[Dydegu]

I can't even imagine the amount of rumors this phone will get between now and next September.

 

[jsmith189]

This is about to be a LONG year.

Someone needs to keep a tally of how many of the same article we get between now and next September.

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

Most definitely worth the wait, be it an S or anniversary edition.

Plus the rumours keeping getting better and more accurate.

I'd be happy either way!

 

[ka-spot]

I'm in! Give me one 7S/8 now?

(I anyway totally skipped the 7 on the 7th)

 

[decimortis]

So where does the front-facing camera and speaker for phone calls go exactly?

 

[BMcCoy]

With the confirmed accuracy of iPhone 7 rumours from 8-10 months ago, it seems rumours this far out do have some potential to be shown correct. So rumours like this one may have credibility..

 

[Return Zero]

I'm willing to bet that after the iPhone 8 hits pockets everywhere, there will be many people who say that the iPhone 7 design was better, just as people sung praises to the 5S design after the 6 was came out.

 

[samac92]

No doubt it was always Apple's intention to have this design after the iPhone 6 design, but they just couldn't do it in two years and had to stretch the iPhone 6 design out to last three years. Nothing about being lazy or not innovating.

 

[2457248]

I'm willing to bet that after the iPhone 8 hits pockets everywhere, there will be many people who say that the iPhone 7 design was better, just as people sung praises to the 5S design after the 6 was came out.

and the iP4 was even better, not to speak of the 3G.
ah, well, the first iPhone was indeed the best, Steve Jobs.

 

[tkukoc]

New screen yes.. home button built into that.. I don't think so. At least not after they just redesigned it. Going to be around for a bit longer before Apple tells people the home button is old technology we needed to remove it to make room for more things.

 

[mdellepi]

I'm betting ceramic as the main material and iPhone X as the name

 

[muadibe]

Can we have some time to actually use the yet to be released model before the speculation about the next model begins?

 

[Saipher]

I can't wait!

 

[imwoblin]

No bezels, edge to edge glass / screen and no physical home button.
My dream iPhone..

 

[iamgalt]

I'm good with the edge to edge screen, and the virtual home button. But what I would like to see more than anything is an edge style closer to the 5 & SE; more squared edge. I feel like I can get a better grip on those phones than I could with my 6.

 

[jonblatho]

I'm betting ceramic as the main material and iPhone X as the name

Ceramic? The ceramic for the Watch takes a long time, if Apple's marketing materials are to be believed (they say it takes days to make the case). If true, that's unworkable for iPhones at this time.

 

[mdellepi]

I also think that the iPhone 7 Jet Black is a good hint at what they want to obtain (a unique continuous surface)

 

[KylePowers]

Yeah, I'm sure the 2 of like 20 people familiar with the final design that's locked in Ive's design lab a year in advance jeopardized their careers to leak info to the NY Times

 

[2457282]

This seems plausible given all the patents along this line. But I still think Apple will go with micro LED over OLED. I understand that the technology is better and should be in-line price wise by next year.

 

[Savor]

Wait for the 8. Might be great.

2017 will be a bigger breakthrough year than 2016. This year is more S refinements from both Samsung and Apple. S7 edge was not much different than S6 edge. Note5 to Note7 and 6s to 7 isn't much of a leap either. 4K displays will be standard with Android.

Samsung Galaxy Wing (Project Valley)
Samsung Galaxy S8
Samsung Galaxy Note8
iPhone 8/8 Plus

I like Apple trimming the top and bottom bezels but that edge to edge could be awkward. Didn't like it when I had a Sharp Aquos Crystal.

The Jony Ive dream phone design using glass again.

 

[Menel]

Can we have some time to actually use the yet to be released model before the speculation about the next model begins?

You might be on the wrong site, this is macRUMORS.

 

[Fall Under Cerulean Kites]

I’m holding out for the 8.4” iPhone 9+++

 

[OllyW]

I'm betting ceramic as the main material and iPhone X as the name

The ceramic Apple Watch costs four times as much as the aluminium model so it's probably a bit too expensive to use on the larger iPhone case.

 

[acctman]

I'm willing to bet that after the iPhone 8 hits pockets everywhere, there will be many people who say that the iPhone 7 design was better, just as people sung praises to the 5S design after the 6 was came out.

but overall the 5s is/was the best designed iPhone to date.