Early 'iPhone 8' Case Has Vertical Camera Cutout, Suggests Front-Facing Touch ID

[MacRumors]

Mobile phone leaker KK Sneak Leaks posted an image on Twitter this morning purporting to show one of the first third-party protective cases for Apple's upcoming redesigned OLED iPhone, which isn't expected to launch until at least September.

The transparent case has a few features that are consistent with recent schematics purporting to depict the front-running design of the so-called "iPhone 8". Most prominent is the cutout on the upper left of the case which indicates vertically aligned dual cameras, as opposed to the horizontal alignment on the iPhone 7 Plus.

Purported third-party case for "iPhone 8" via KK Sneak Leaks​

Conspicuous in its absence however is any sort of opening for a fingerprint sensor located on the rear, suggesting Touch ID will remain a front-facing feature. Apple is rumored to be trying to build Touch ID into the iPhone's display, but the company has reportedly been struggling with perfecting the technology, suggesting it could resort to putting the sensor on the rear of the device.

The pill-shaped volume buttons shown in the picture on the right side appear to be in their normal places, but the power button on the left looks longer than on previous iPhones, which is something we've also seen on recent dummy models. Elsewhere, the bottom of the case indicates standard speaker grille locations either side of what will presumably be an all-in-one Lightning connector.

Early case leaks have historically been fairly accurate indicators of new iPhone designs, with some exceptions, but this is a uniquely challenging year for third-party case manufacturers looking to nail down the final design.

Apple is still thought to be testing multiple prototypes for its upcoming "10th anniversary edition" iPhone, and rather than be privy to the final design, case makers may simply resort to following the most likely one based on the same leaks covered by rumor sites, so bear those caveats in mind.

Apple's 4.7-inch OLED iPhone is likely to be sold alongside two standard "S" cycle iPhones with LCD displays, which are said to be similar in size to the existing iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Rumors suggest the leading candidate for the final chassis is a stainless steel frame sandwiched between front and rear symmetrical glass. Apple is also supposedly working on an inductive wireless charging solution for its "premium" handset model.

Rumors also suggest Apple's "iPhone 8" supplies may be highly constrained when the new range of phones launches, making it harder to obtain in the first few months of release, although this is not an unusual claim in the months preceding a new iPhone launch.

Article Link: Early 'iPhone 8' Case Has Vertical Camera Cutout, Suggests Front-Facing Touch ID

 

[The Game 161]

that was quick, only just tweeted it ha

 

[alexandermac18]

I really don't think we can take much from these posts.. what stops anyone from making a mockup case based on a "leak" we've seen on various rumour websites in the past few weeks and saying it's the real deal?

 

[fokmik]

Seems the latest news no longer show rear fingerprint

 

[fyun89]

I doubt that they received official blueprint from Apple. Unless they're intentionally doing this, they wouldn't share it since they know it will be a leak.

It could be a lucky guess work, or posing to earn attention.

 

[nfilg]

First of many cases to come before september.

 

[profets]

Ok, now this is really starting to feel like 2011 with the supposed iPhone 5 tear drop design (that never came to be) and cases leaking out

 

[Loge]

Remember cases were made for the "teardrop" design too.

 

[prasand]

Perhaps the longer power button is to accommodate for a touchid integrated button. Makes logical sense as it's a button many hit often.

 

[fokmik]

Those who use the iphone with left hand will be out of reach if the touchid is in power button

 

[mdellepi]

To be clear, rumours states that Apple has already finalised the technology to have a Touch ID under the screen, BUT they are struggling with mass production, due to some issues. The fact that other rumours say that iPhone 8 availability will be constrained or even possibly delayed, in my opinion is a demonstration that they have decided to stick with the front facing Touch ID, at the cost of some delay in mass production.

 

[balcis]

Those who use the iphone with left hand will be out of reach if the touchid is in power button

why? you can still set thumb or index finger.

 

[djcerla]

Color me disappointed if Apple does not manage to crush Samsung with a true bezel-less, fingerprint sensing screen.

And add the A11 to the equation as icing on the cake.

 

[goobot]

I wonder why Apple wouldn't use ceramic like the Apple Watch Edition?

 

[Mike82]

Perhaps the longer power button is to accommodate for a touchid integrated button. Makes logical sense as it's a button many hit often.

If they can't get it under the screen, that would be the best option. Works for Sony.

 

[Seuck]

Perhaps the longer power button is to accommodate for a touchid integrated button. Makes logical sense as it's a button many hit often.

Exactly!
It would be a more natural position for your thumb than the bottom of the screen, or even worst the back of the device.
In fact the round button functionalities have been separated in iPhone 7.
As the "pressure" feature has been delocalised in the whole screen, touch ID can be moved somewhere else too.

 

[Sirious]

Why vertical camera though?

 

[recoil80]

Perhaps the longer power button is to accommodate for a touchid integrated button. Makes logical sense as it's a button many hit often.

I had the same idea, but I'd still prefer the touchID to be on the front.
Having to reach for the side button wouldn't be too different to have the sensor on the back. It would avoid an hole on the back, but you'd need a hole on the side and a thick case could prevent the finger to touch the sensor.

 

[DemetriJ]

Putting Touch ID on the lock button doesn't really make much sense from a user experience point of view. You unlock your phone using the lock button... General users could be slightly confused, considering the fact that with iOS 10 you don't even have to use a button to wake up the screen in the first place. I guess you could just pick your phone and scan your finger, the placement just seems a little weird and I'm assuming this could be why others haven't done it apart from Sony.

 

[goobot]

Why vertical camera though?

Because when held in portrait, so is the camera.

 

[otternonsense]

I wonder why Apple wouldn't use ceramic like the Apple Watch Edition?

My thoughts exactly. From alloys to force touch, the Watch seems to have been a testing ground for new materials and tech. One caveat I've read about is that ceramic is generally more brittle than aluminium.

Regardless, I'd be willing to pony up the extra $ for a ceramic-sapphire glass black iPhone with matching black AirPods. I'd still miss the headphone jack, but what can we do. I hope at least iOS 11 is a more polished experience.

 

[ACST]

Apple's 4.7-inch OLED iPhone is likely to be sold alongside two standard "S" cycle iPhones with LCD displays, which are said to be similar in size to the existing iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Rumors suggest the leading candidate for the final chassis design is a stainless steel frame sandwiched between symmetrical glass on the front and the back. Apple is also supposedly working on an inductive wireless charging solution for its "premium" handset model.

Bit of a messy alinea, needs some tiding up.
[doublepost=1493372246][/doublepost]

I wonder why Apple wouldn't use ceramic like the Apple Watch Edition?

There are rumours that Apple is gonna use this, but due to translation issues ie Ceramic glass (which the Apple watch edition actually is) being called glass it's very hard to actually know what Apple is gonna use for 'glass'.

 

[MH01]

Color me disappointed if Apple does not manage to crush Samsung with a true bezel-less, fingerprint sensing screen.

And add the A11 to the equation as icing on the cake.

Yeah , Samsung was holding out the tech for Apple. I'd be happy if apple managed to do the next big thing and put wireless charging into a phone we might be able to purchase in 2018...

At least Samsung have lifted the bar. So hopefully a good update from apple

 

[indiekiduk]

Looks like he cut that vertical hole with a pair of scissors

 

[WatchFromAfar]

Why take this as an indication of the final design? Every iPhone leak with different designs we all say "oh Apple is testing different prototypes to cover all eventualities". Well perhaps the case makers make prototypes of every leaked design so when the final iPhone design is announced their factories are ready to start full-scale production.