Bloomberg Backs Latest 'iPhone 8' Prototype Having Stainless Steel and Glass Design With Vertical Camera

[kstotlani]

I can't remember the last time I saw anybody using an iPhone without a case on it. I think your definition of "many" may be askew.

I might have said this on this site before. In 7 years of iPhone usage none of my iPhones have had a case. I take very good care of my phone and feel if Apple is trying so hard to make the phone so thin why cover it with a case. If this new phone is going to have a glass back then what is the use of getting a case and just waste the design. If people have a case on their phone then they should never worry about how good a phone looks because they have destroyed it by putting a case on it. Just my opinion.

 

[Jax44]

This "8" has had so many rumors and changes. Full wrap OLED display with glass back, now not a full wrap display. Integrated fingerprint, now not (hope they do not go with eye scanners, hate having to take off sunglasses outside to unlock phone). Wireless charging now/maybe not, Lighting to USB charging (thanks for another dongle to carry around). What is happening to Apple? They used to be the bleeding edge, now it's more like catch-up! I've not seen anything to make me want to spend $1,000+ for a phone. I'll wait a couple of cycles and all of the wish list for the 8 will be a standard feature set on future iPhones at an affordable price. I love my current Apple products (6S, Late 2013 MacBook Pro and 9.4 iPad Pro). The new MacBook Pro has issues with the not so useful OLED function bar now Apple is having issues getting the next level phone feature set down and functional. Really hope they don't push a feature set that will have issues (a la OLED function bar on the MacBook Pro). Really sorry to see Apple playing catch-up and not leading the way as they used to. Will someone at Apple please start channeling Steve Jobs?

Well, you know all these rumors and troubles and doom don't come from Apple, right?. So, to answer your " What is happening to Apple?". Nothing.
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It looks pretty, but I hope they move the power button to, well, anywhere other that directly across from the volume buttons. It's wonderfully symmetrical design, sure, but two years on, and I still occasionally line up a great one-chance-to-capture-it photo opportunity, and... turn off the display, locking the phone (because I pressed the wrong side - which is either the top or bottom depending on which way I've happened to rotate the phone to reach landscape mode - or squeezed the phone between thumb and finger and the power button "won" over the volume button). And by the time I can get the phone back on and unlocked and the scene reframed, the child or cat or whatever has wandered off or stopped having that expression and I've lost that photo opportunity. This was clearly a case of form winning out over function and usability.

This won't be a popular request, but I'd also love to see them add a play/pause button between the volume up/down, in line with what the iPods have. There are numerous times that I have the phone in my hand, and I'm listening to music or a podcast as well as using some app, and I have a sudden need to have the phone stop making noise right now. Someone asks a question or something. And suddenly it's a mad scramble to pull up the control panel and swipe to the music tab and then press pause. That seems like such a poor hack. If they want me to consider it as a music player (that was, after all, one of Steve's original three pillars of the iPhone), being able to directly pause the music is a pretty basic expectation. It'd be a boon for AirPods users as well.

AirPods pause automatically when one is removed from your ear.

 

[richinaus]

I might have said this on this site before. In 7 years of iPhone usage none of my iPhones have had a case. I take very good care of my phone and feel if Apple is trying so hard to make the phone so thin why cover it with a case. If this new phone is going to have a glass back then what is the use of getting a case and just waste the design. If people have a case on their phone then they should never worry about how good a phone looks because they have destroyed it by putting a case on it. Just my opinion.

I agree with your opinion. I have dropped my current black 7+ on concrete about 3 times now. It is always naked and despite some minor damage to the corners is fine. Personally I would much prefer to carry a slightly damaged naked phone rather than have some ugly case on it. And yes what is the point of it being a beautiful device if a case goes on covering everything but a screen.

 

[44267547]

I still don't know why this bothers people so much. I'd rather have the protruding camera than have the entire phone that thick just to hide it. It isn't optimal, but I've never seen it as something to be upset about.

Exactly TimUSCA. @Sunny1990. Do you understand the reasoning behind having a protruding camera and The sacrifice it would have to make for a thicker casing in order to hide a protruding camera bump? Your theory isn't realistic. I think Apple will make other improvements to the iPhone 8 and not be concerned over a protruding camera bump. It's complete Nonsense to even consider how upsetting it can cause one to be upset over a camera bump.

 

[nfortna]

Aside from display/camera/speed specs I'm really not sure what this phone has for me to upgrade from my 6. I feel like the benefits don't outweigh the loss of the 3.5mm jack and Touch ID on the front

 

[dan110]

Do people realize it's only April? The new iPhone(s) won't be out for another 6-7 months.

 

[Manzzle]

Is it just me or does this render still look like an iPhone 6, 6s & 7. I'm not seeing a big change.

They should make it thick as the iPhone 5 and 5S that way the hump on the back is gone.

Having that lens hump on a glass back to me will cause some sort of cracking of the glass back.

 

[kemal]

That vertical thing. Where have I seen it?

 

[Col4bin]

So what's with the vertical camera? Just to be different?

 

[MyopicPaideia]

Is it just me or am I the only one who thinks that the phone will look in principle exactly like the 7, sans home button, and with a vertical double camera instead of a horizontal one? Better materials, maybe squared off a bit more in homage to the most aesthetically pleasing iPhone design to date, the 4/4S.

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer here, no home button will be cool, especially if you can reclaim the display space for something useful. AND if the advances and design language finally come to iPad...there is a product line that truly needs a revamp design-wise.

But, for me new functionality doesn't have to equate with new form factor or external design language. Give me a 4.8-5.1" version of that render above in a form factor about the size of the 5/5S/SE with spec and feature parity with the bigger phones and I will pay the same price as for the biggest screen size they got!

 

[paradox00]

I still don't know why this bothers people so much. I'd rather have the protruding camera than have the entire phone that thick just to hide it. It isn't optimal, but I've never seen it as something to be upset about.

Perhaps some people want their phone to lay flat? It's the only reason I use a case. In other words, I choose to make my phone thicker just to remove the protrusion. I'd prefer to have that space occupied by a bigger internal battery instead of a case though.

Edit: should have read the thread first. I will add that, Apple's typical attention to minor details like this is what got me attached to the brand in the first place.

 

[raghu8912]

Doesn't look all that special and not worth $1,000+. I bet if you wait a cycle or two, all of the iPhones will be OLED, under a grand and larger battery and wireless charging. I'll wait and maybe just get the 7S+ and save a few hundred bucks.

All iPhones may not be using OLED display in the near future due to capacity constraints.
OLED Manufacturing capacity to support both iPhones doesn't exist as of today.
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lmfao So Apple diehards can now both claim Android is flooding the market w/ cheap phones yet also claim numbers 1, 2 & 3?

You *do* realize Apple is never 1, 2 or 3 & it sells-- a phrases used here often-- like hotcakes.

Example: 1: Lightning adaptor to replace audio jack in latest iPhone. 2: Always "constrained" availability of ANY year's iPhone. Has spread to pricey name-dropping Rapper headphones & even wireless headphones. 3: Cost effective? C'mon, gtho(heck) of here!!!

"Has spread to pricey name-dropping Rapper headphones & even wireless headphones."
Air Pods are the cheapest truly wireless head phones in the market.
You can review the price online.
And AirPods have 5 hours battery life when Samsung wireless headphones have 1 hour battery life.

 

[fourthtunz]

I might have said this on this site before. In 7 years of iPhone usage none of my iPhones have had a case. I take very good care of my phone and feel if Apple is trying so hard to make the phone so thin why cover it with a case. If this new phone is going to have a glass back then what is the use of getting a case and just waste the design. If people have a case on their phone then they should never worry about how good a phone looks because they have destroyed it by putting a case on it. Just my opinion.

Once you've dropped your phone and it stops working you may change your mind? I have a case on my iPhones since 2007, I like the ones with the hip clip/ kickstand combo, but thats me
I dropped my iPhone 4s and the speaker stopped working and also dropped my 6 and it had to be replaced.
Both had cases. I'm very careful with my iPhones and you'd think a 4 ft drop wouldn't kill them but
it did. I've dropped my other iPhones and never had an issue...just sayin

 

[GeoStructural]

I still don't know why this bothers people so much. I'd rather have the protruding camera than have the entire phone that thick just to hide it. It isn't optimal, but I've never seen it as something to be upset about.

And I would not mind a thicker phone if it hides the camera protrusion and adds battery life.

 

[kstotlani]

Once you've dropped your phone and it stops working you may change your mind? I have a case on my iPhones since 2007, I like the ones with the hip clip/ kickstand combo, but thats me
I dropped my iPhone 4s and the speaker stopped working and also dropped my 6 and it had to be replaced.
Both had cases. I'm very careful with my iPhones and you'd think a 4 ft drop wouldn't kill them but
it did. I've dropped my other iPhones and never had an issue...just sayin

Completely understand and I also have a lot of friends whose kids drop their phones a lot so they have industrial cases on them. The only thing I am saying is that if you have a case they it doesn't matter how the phone looks. So many folks in this thread are awaiting a great phone design and most of them use a case. Doesn't make sense.

 

[TimUSCA]

And I would not mind a thicker phone if it hides the camera protrusion and adds battery life.

I really think you're underestimating how uncomfortable it would be to hold a phone that's as thick as the camera bump... especially if it were filled with battery. I would look and feel like a brick compared to what we've all been used to for a decade now.

Also, you can get a phone like that... it's the one benefit to Android. Plenty of options to choose from.

 

[paradox00]

I really think you're underestimating how uncomfortable it would be to hold a phone that's as thick as the camera bump... especially if it were filled with battery. I would look and feel like a brick compared to what we've all been used to for a decade now.

Also, you can get a phone like that... it's the one benefit to Android. Plenty of options to choose from.

You're exaggerating the weight 1 mm adds. The iPhone SE is 0.5 mm thicker than the iPhone 7 and it manages a flush camera. It would be noticeable in a direct comparison, but not something that someone would be bothered by during regular use unless they were constantly switching phones.

It's also a pretty terrible argument to suggest that people who disagree with one design decision should move to Android.

 

[scrumpyjack]

I might have said this on this site before. In 7 years of iPhone usage none of my iPhones have had a case. I take very good care of my phone and feel if Apple is trying so hard to make the phone so thin why cover it with a case. If this new phone is going to have a glass back then what is the use of getting a case and just waste the design. If people have a case on their phone then they should never worry about how good a phone looks because they have destroyed it by putting a case on it. Just my opinion.

Yes but when it's costing north of $800 most take a different view. Personally I'd rather know theres a beautiful device under a case than looking at a scratched and dented phone thinking 'man, if only I'd used a $10 case or bumper..'

 

[fourthtunz]

Completely understand and I also have a lot of friends whose kids drop their phones a lot so they have industrial cases on them. The only thing I am saying is that if you have a case they it doesn't matter how the phone looks. So many folks in this thread are awaiting a great phone design and most of them use a case. Doesn't make sense.

Right, I'm not a phone in my pocket guy, I like the hip clip.
I agree, don't understand the folks that are all about "looks" of the phone.
Also without a case iPhones are damn slippery!
All about function over form/aesthetics for me!
Going to be an interesting fall!

 

[TimUSCA]

You're exaggerating the weight 1 mm adds. The iPhone SE is 0.5 mm thicker than the iPhone 7 and it manages a flush camera. It would be noticeable in a direct comparison, but not something that someone would be bothered by during regular use unless they were constantly switching phones.

It would be more than 1mm. The iPhone SE doesn't have the same camera at the iPhone 7. Not even close.

It's also a pretty terrible argument to suggest that people who disagree with one design decision should move to Android.

I disagree. It's fine to say you don't like the camera bump, but it's another to say you should be able to buy a phone without one. I'm simply pointing out that you can. Nobody is forcing you to use iOS.

 

[Michael Goff]

I really think you're underestimating how uncomfortable it would be to hold a phone that's as thick as the camera bump... especially if it were filled with battery. I would look and feel like a brick compared to what we've all been used to for a decade now.

Also, you can get a phone like that... it's the one benefit to Android. Plenty of options to choose from.

Samsung seems to be able to make a phone that's both comfortable to hold and with a flush camera. Are we arguing they're better designers now?

 

[sulpfiction]

This is the first time I've had a gut feeling that there's going to be some flaw in the design that crops up a month after release and causes some sort of mass recall. Not an exploding battery, but something detrimental to the iPhone's proper operation on a global scale. I don't know why, but I just can't shake the feeling. I'll be waiting on the S variant of this one.

This is a ridiculous. You skipping the 8 because of ur "gut feeling" is the same as having a dream you were being chased by zombies so the next morning you board up ur house and stay in for a month...And maybe even make a bat with barbed wire wrapped around it. Theres no difference. You can't predict a major problem when you have no clue about anything.

I have a gut feeling there will be one less person to compete with on preorder morning.

 

[decimortis]

This is a ridiculous.

You're a ridiculous. I'm an awesome.

 

[TimUSCA]

Samsung seems to be able to make a phone that's both comfortable to hold and with a flush camera. Are we arguing they're better designers now?

Uh, no? I'd argue that their phone is uncomfortable to hold. It's a mm thicker and 33% heavier. And they managed that weight with plastic, which is a lot lighter than aluminum.

 

[Michael Goff]

Uh, no? I'd argue that their phone is uncomfortable to hold. It's a mm thicker and 33% heavier. And they managed that weight with plastic, which is a lot lighter than aluminum.

I'm talking about the S8, which is glass.