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Apple to Release iPhone With Glass Casing and AMOLED Screen in 2017

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KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a new report that again predicts Apple will switch to non-aluminum casing, with glass being the most likely candidate, for the majority of new iPhone models starting in 2017. If accurate, the design change would not apply to the iPhone 7 expected to launch this September.

iPhone-4-back-glass.jpg

Specifically, Kuo believes that in order to differentiate iPhone from an increasing number of competing aluminum smartphones, Apple will return to iPhone 4s-like glass casing next year to allow for an all-new form-factor design. The switch would allow Apple to again "enhance the competitiveness" and innovation of iPhone.
If iPhone 7 still uses an aluminum casing in 2016, it will be the fifth year in a row that iPhone has done so, which means there is no longer a feeling of freshness to appeal to consumers. Also, a lot of Apple's (US) competitors are also adopting aluminum casings, which means iPhone no longer has a clear edge due to a lack of differentiation. On expectations that iPhone shipments will decline in 2016, we believe Apple will be more strongly motivated to use non-aluminum casings in 2017 in a bid to enhance the competitiveness of iPhone by offering an all-new form-factor design.
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The oft-reliable analyst adds that the ratio of new iPhone models using aluminum casing will likely drop from 100% currently to 40% or less, indicating that some aluminum-based iPhones will likely remain available for at least the short term. This could be older models like the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6 series.

Kuo notes that some investors are concerned that glass casing would be too heavy or fail a drop test. However, the analyst believes that a return to glass casing will not be problematic for Apple, and the added weight in particular could be offset by the switch to lighter AMOLED screens in 2017.
Apple already uses glass casing for iPhone 4/ 4S, and non-Apple brands have also been using glass casings. We therefore think a drop test will not be problematic for glass casing. A glass casing may be slightly heavier than an aluminum one of the same thickness, but the difference is so small that the use of the thinner and lighter AMOLED panel will compensate for that.
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Multiple sources have claimed that Apple will release an OLED-based iPhone as early as 2017, with possible suppliers eventually including Samsung, LG Display, AU Optronics, Japan Display, Foxconn-owned Sharp, and others. Kuo said at least one model could have a 5.8-inch OLED screen with curved glass casing.

Article Link: Apple to Release iPhone With Glass Casing and AMOLED Screen in 2017
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/04/17/iphone-glass-casing-amoled-2017/
I don't think I'll ever buy a phone based on what the outside is made of...

"Oh shiny!" might be what catches my eye, but I'm not keeping it for that reason.

Gary

(Unless they've got some very cool function in store, I can roll it up flat into the inside of a ballpoint pen!
But if it doesn't perform, I still don't see me keeping it.
Yes, I've seen the image that's been floating around for years.)
 
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If this is true, I'll be holding off on upgrading my 6 to the 7 to get the OLED phone next year.

Hopefully it will launch earlier than usual in June for the 10th anniversary.

Flush dual cameras, no antenna lines, jet black on the front and back, no home button (integrated into screen) to reduce bezel size, edge to edge screen would be on my early wish list. Also be available in 4.7" size, rather than just the 5.5-5.8"
 
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iPhone 4 - 4S, 5 - 5S had similar design. iPhone 6 - 6S and 7 - 7S could have similar design. iPhone 8 could be the next big leap.

It doesn't make sense to waste the 'S' opportunity where they can make more money by selling the same phone with upgraded specs.
 
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Do we really think that Apple would either (1) not release an updated design for 2016, extending the iPhone 6 design across three years instead of the average 2, or (2) release updated designs in both 2016 and 2017? Both options seem unlikely to me.

That said, I always thought that the glass design was more beautiful on the iPhone than the aluminium design. For one reason or another, while I think the aluminum back of the iPad looks fantastic, it hasn't worked as well for me on the iPhone.
 
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Since i doubt we are going to see anything more than small spec jumps in smart phones now i would rather Apple have 4 or 5 different designs like say BMW do with the 1 series, 2 series, 3 series etc and just update them every year with the latest processor. So just like with a car you might buy a 2015 BMW 1 Series. I would like to buy a 2017 iPhone SE
 
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Lots of possibilities are created with an all glass casing…

  1. To the edge display
  2. On the edge display
  3. Rear display (smaller, perhaps.. but for what use? Time display? Countdown for photo timer?)
  4. Digitizers can be anywhere on the device. (Edge/rear gesture detection, if able to filter out unintended gestures)
  5. Ability to remove ALL physical buttons… Localized Taptic feedback on the edges where volume/power would be. These buttons could be hidden and shown as needed, if there is a wraparound display. 3D Touch enabled home button would also be slick.

If they do end up with this design, they will need to make the glass strong as hell, stronger than whatever is in Corning's current lineup. Apple needs to address device fragility. If they nail that, it would be a huge differentiator.

Also, how do you address the feel in hand? 6(s)(+)'s are so slippery without a case. I could only imagine that transitioning to an all glass case would make things even more slippery.
 
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So he has no real inside information he's just guessing. Why again do rumor sites treat this guy like is word is gold?


yesjam said:
Do we really think that Apple would either (1) not release an updated design for 2016, extending the iPhone 6 design across three years instead of the average 2, or (2) release updated designs in both 2016 and 2017? Both options seem unlikely to me.

That said, I always thought that the glass design was more beautiful on the iPhone than the aluminium design. For one reason or another, while I think the aluminum back of the iPad looks fantastic, it hasn't worked as well for me on the iPhone.
Click to expand...

Jony Ive said the current iPhone display felt old to him. My guess is Apple is working on something radical but it's not ready yet. Seems silly to me to come up with a new design for one year just because it has to look new. And it surely doesn't make financial sense to have a brand new design that only lasts one year.
 
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