Foxconn Developing Glass Casing and OLED Displays Ahead of Tenth-Anniversary iPhone

[ViewRoyal]

Apple is a likely to go back to glass casings as they are to go back to the 3.5" low-res display.

Apple already tried the glass backside with the iPhone 4/4S, and people hated it because it shattered when dropped on the ground.

Samsung Galaxy S7 phones also have a glass backside, and they also shatter when you drop them. Take a look at YouTube video drop tests, showing how easily they shatter when dropped.

 

[dominiongamma]

I can't believe I'm posting this but I'm about to keep my 6 plus for 3 years lol. A few years ago I would be updating every year. Either the phones are getting stale or I'm getting old.

Same here! I have a 6 plus but the wait will be so worth it and the phone will be blazing fast on the new OLED screen too

 

[LordQ]

As an Industrial Designer, there's nothing more elegant than glass and steel IMO. If it was polished it'd be even more beautiful.

 

[brinary001]

I'm honestly more excited for next year's iPhone than I am this year's. I'll probably still upgrade to it simply because I have T-Mobile and I can do that 3 times a year, so I may as well just upgrade, but next year man... That'll be the year where I go back to camping outside the Apple store again. Haven't had to do that since the 6 launched lol.
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As an Industrial Designer, there's nothing more elegant than glass and steel IMO. If it was polished it'd be even more beautiful.

Agreed! There's something about it that just makes it look so futuristic, yet somehow keeping in line with classic design.

 

[TallManNY]

Cool. But phone with glass on front and back and which costs $600 or more is going in a case as soon as I get it. If I keep a phone for longer than a year and it's value drops down in the $200 range, then it can come out of the case. My iPhone 4 eventually got a chance to live its life outside of a case. But I'd probably have to keep a new iPhone longer than two years to have its value drop that much. I don't see that happening anytime soon. And in the situation where I'm trying to save money by keeping my phone, well that is precisely the situation where I don't want to risk dropping and breaking it and having to buy a replacement. So I see myself buying thin plastic cases on iPhones for the foreseeable future.

If it has a plastic back which adds shock absorption and maybe some plastic on the front or edges, then it can live outside of a case. But it doesn't look like Apple will ever make one like that.

 

[xaqt93]

I'm honestly more excited for next year's iPhone than I am this year's. I'll probably still upgrade to it simply because I have T-Mobile and I can do that 3 times a year, so I may as well just upgrade, but next year man... That'll be the year where I go back to camping outside the Apple store again. Haven't had to do that since the 6 launched lol.

I would so agree with you on this mate. I am way more excited for next years iPhone than this years. I am so excited to move to T-Mobile but unfortunately, I still have a year left with AT&T. Next year is the iPhone to get!

 

[kdarling]

Somebody's got to say it ... there's not much people can say about what Steve Jobs might do if he were alive, but I'm pretty sure referring to a "10th Anniversary iPhone" would make him spin in his grave.

Actually, I was kind of thinking that they need to rush out an iPhone 7, 8 and 9 this year and next... so the 2017 model can be the "iPhone X"

That glass case better be indestructible. I was a huge fan of the iphone 4 and 4s. By far the best ID in iPhone history.

Gee, the whole point of Apple products is that they put form over functionality. Beauty over practicality. Why else put a glass back on a handheld device??

Only slightly joking, I personally want them to drop Gorilla Glass and go straight for an extruded cubic zirconium case with wraparound OLED and in-screen home button:

Something that would be harder for most third world makers to clone.

 

[Statusnone88]

This should be the iPhone 7. After using and holding a Note 7 for the better part of a week, I can honestly say iOS is my preferred operating system, but Samsung design language and form factor is vastly superior to Apple in 2016. IP68 water resistance, OLED display, smaller bezels, and significant decrease in camera bump (from the Galaxy S6/Note 5) are the direction I wish Apple would (and could) have went.

Also for how much stuff the Note 7 has in it (stylus, bigger battery, larger screen) it feels substantially lighter and nicer to hold than my iPhone 6s Plus. The Plus series just crosses that line into cumbersome.

 

[John Mcgregor]

So it's "lazy" not to rush out a total redesign simply for the sake of accommodating your short attention span? If you don't want the new version, don't buy it. They don't owe you anything, and it's not like YOU are designing anything at all.

You, people, seriously have comprehension problems. Apple has to sell iPhones every year. It's not excuse to not do you best this year just because next year happens to be anniversary. I hate the press and all kinds of other idiots without any shred off evidence that are basically setting up for a failure this September.

 

[Thunderhawks]

And you have?

Yes, product development experience for almost 50 years.
International marketing launches of products.
Everything, develop, buy components, produce, i.e. start to finish.
Own a factory assembling things.

Just a snapshot. Let's just say, I know what I am talking about.

 

[jonnyb098]

Too bad it couldn't be this year. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yeah since the iPhone was introduced in Jan 2007 and on sale in June. So really waiting till next year will be like the 11th anniversary phone since it'll be so late in the "anniversary" year.

Makes no sense to me. Can't wait to hear how Apple spins it next month. "The iPhone 6 design was our most revolutionary and popular design....and thats why we aren't changing a thing except the hideous antenna lines that shouldn't have been there in the first place"

Between this and the iPad not seeing a design refresh in over 3 years......what exactly is Jony Ive's team doing? Oh thats right.......the carrrrrrrr..........yeah.......

 

[Fattytail]

This seems more interesting than the upcoming iPhone 7.another big reason for me to wait for the anniversary iPhone

Yes, it's definitely starting to look like this year is more of an S upgrade and next year is the real shebang.

 

[Thunderhawks]

You, people, seriously have comprehension problems. Apple has to sell iPhones every year. It's not excuse to not do you best this year just because next year happens to be anniversary. I hate the press and all kinds of other idiots without any shred off evidence that are basically setting up for a failure this September.

How would you know whether Apple "holds back" reserving features for the next iPhone?
You don't have a shred of evidence either.

Apple has so far improved the iPhone with every generation. Be it faster processor, better camera, different sizes (I am sure that hurt them to admit that competitors were on to SAMSUNG)

We can agree, not to everybody's liking.
Design is a personal taste thing (I like the Braun design of 4 best) and find the slippery eel design not that attractive, but I always use a case, so the design doesn't matter.
16GB = weak, headphone jack removed, not that important, will be compensated for with better BT headphones or use a dongle.

It looks like with every generation they incorporate what is doable within their capabilities, rather than stretch and try half baked technologies, just because they are new or just became available.

It's a different philosophy compared to today's ADD generation who wants the latest "NEW" thing all the time.

They also do rethink what is next and will swallow their pride by going to OLED, which SAMSUNG etc have already had for years. But, 50 million or however many they will sell have to be produced first and the supply channels don't just open a drawer an pull 50 million OLEDs out . Same for all other components.

Coming from a 4S to a 6S plus was worth the wait . I'd expect the same for the 8S plus.
7 will be better than my 6S , but has no compelling must have for me not to wait.

People on contract will do the same.

I never have to have the latest. Just need my stuff to work.

 

[DevNull0]

I have to agree, it was my first iPhone too. I was about 14 years old and I'd saved all the money I had to buy one. Walking out of the Apple Store with one of those boxes in my hand is something I'd dreamed of for ages.

When that thing got announced, the world gasped. It was unlike anything we'd seen before with a totally new way of designing and constructing mobile devices out of premium materials. Regardless of antenna-gate, that thing was amazing. Not to mention it was the first smartphone with a display of the resolution, everyone was talking about how 'crystal clear' Retina was. I can hear Steve Jobs right now saying, "You cannot see the pixels!"

I'm looking forward to next year's iPhone to see what they have in store for us after the snore fest of the past 3 years.

I agree. The 4 was my first iPhone too and it was amazing.

Now, 6 years later, we get the same screen tech, same ppi resolution, same 16 gig base storage, same basic clunky app-launcher of a UI. Cheaper build quality, uglier design. Thinner though .

 

[ghost187]

With all the expected features of the iPhone 7 this year, I don't understand how it's the worst upgrade ever? It won't be the best, I agree, but it'll be far from the worst.

Here is the iPhone 7, what do you think?

1.) Waterproof
2.) True tone display/variable refresh rate/retina color/Anti reflective display
3.) 3gb ram (+ only)
4.) Smart connector (docks, battery cases, + only)
5.) Much better camera (dual + only)
6.) Better battery life (like the SE)
7.) Faster chip/LTE
8.) Possible Apple pencil support
9.) 32/128/256 gb capacities
10.) Lightning headphones (not a +)

Honestly, that's a better upgrade than the 6S was.

 

[John Mcgregor]

How would you know whether Apple "holds back" reserving features for the next iPhone?
You don't have a shred of evidence either.

Apple has so far improved the iPhone with every generation. Be it faster processor, better camera, different sizes
(I am sure that hurt them to admit that competitors were on to SAMSUNG)

We can agree, not to everybody's liking.
Design is a personal taste thing (I like the Braun design of 4 best) and find the slippery eel design not that attractive, but I always use a case, so the design doesn't matter.
16GB = weak, headphone jack removed, not that important, will be compensated for with better BT headphones or use a dongle.

It looks like with every generation they incorporate what is doable within their capabilities, rather than stretch and try half baked technologies, just because they are new or just became available.

It's a different philosophy compared to today's ADD generation who wants the latest "NEW" thing all the time.

They also do rethink what is next and will swallow their pride by going to OLED, which SAMSUNG etc have already had for years. But, 50 million or however many they will sell have to be produced first and the supply channels
don't just open a drawer an pull 50 million OLEDs out . Same for all other components.

Coming from a 4S to a 6S plus was worth the wait . I'd expect the same for the 8S plus.
7 will be better than my 6S , but has no compelling must have for me not to wait.

People on contract will do the same.

I never have to have the latest. Just need my stuff to work.

All i'm saying is that iPhones have to be sold at considerable amounts every year. Even Apple has no luxury of a dud. Why would Apple want to complicate things if just doing your best every year is the best policy and ensures good sales. Is that clear enough?

 

[DevNull0]

With all the expected features of the iPhone 7 this year, I don't understand how it's the worst upgrade ever? It won't be the best, I agree, but it'll be far from the worst.

Here is the iPhone 7, what do you think?

1.) Waterproof
2.) True tone display/variable refresh rate/retina color/Anti reflective display
3.) 3gb ram (+ only)
4.) Smart connector (docks, battery cases, + only)
5.) Much better camera (dual + only)
6.) Better battery life (like the SE)
7.) Faster chip/LTE
8.) Possible Apple pencil support
9.) 32/128/256 gb capacities
10.) Lightning headphones (not a +)

Honestly, that's a better upgrade than the 6S was.

1) Nice to have, but not huge. I guess it's good for clumsy people but I've never gotten an iPhone wet.
2) Do not want "true tone". I want pictures to show up with the colour cast I give them when I create them.
3) Years behind and everyone else has moved to 4 gig.
4) Great, more adapters and Apple proprietary crap
5) Nice to have. Not as good as the competition, and rumour is extra fee for the good camera this year.
6) I doubt this one is right.
7) Faster chip, clunky software that doesn't know wha to do with the speed.
8) Another $100 addon. Note 7 has everything on your list and a free pencil and place to store it.
9) Way too late for those tiers and way too expensive. 32 gig is a joke in 2016 and so are the upgrade costs. Give an SD slot.
10) 100% dealbreaker.
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All i'm saying is that iPhones have to be sold at considerable amounts every year. Even Apple has no luxury of a dud. Why would Apple want to complicate things if just doing your best every year is the best policy and ensures good sales. Is that clear enough?

Option a) Sell 150 million junky warmed over phones at a profit of $300 each. Minimal design costs, minimal costs to retool the assembly line. Total profit $45 billion.

Option b) Sell 250 million amazing new phones, parts cost more so profit is only $200 each. $2 billion R&D, $10 billion production tooling, costs related to lower yields as the new design ramps up, etc. Total profit $38 billion.

Which one do you choose?

If you care about Apple, where they will be in 5 years and what customers think about the company, option b is obvious.

If you're Timmy and Eddie Clueless, $7 billion extra this year is $7 billion. Choose option a and 5 years from now be damned.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

Looking forward to the 4" version of the oled phone. The se version so to speak

 

[CoMoMacUser]

Unless there is some super improvement in material, an all glass iphone, although beautiful, will crack more easily

I worried about that when I got the Google Nexus 4. But after 2 1/2 years, it didn't have a single crack even after being dropped onto ceramic tile and hardwood floors, and concrete. The screen definitely was Gorilla Glass (gen 2?), but I never could find official specs that said whether the back was, too.

 

[9646829]

The real iPhone 7 ladies and gentlemen.. Also my iPhone 4 was my favourite iPhone by far.

 

[GadgetBen]

So assuming the all glass case will be sapphire crystal - therefore more durable?

 

[ericwn]

Oh, Macrumors has a new thing after the Pokemon nonsense: a rumoured anniversary phone. Because, you know, after the Tammie, Apple has really stepped up its game on anniversary celebration products.

 

[epicrayban]

I'm excited about this potential move back to glass panels. Glass has always been, to my mind, the more premium material to use. It both feels and looks better, and best of all, allows for more functionality:

Perhaps we'll finally see some form of Apple wireless charging. OLED front panel could lead to Apple's own version of an always on display or active display. We can finally be rid of those unsightly antennae lines! The leaked 2016 iPhone design aims to remove the antennae lines across (I actually think those are the least offensive thing about the antennae lines), but will leave the ugly double U-shape lines that frame the device awkwardly. Let's be rid of them all! Think Samsung, think Sony Xperia Z, think the iPhone 4/4S.

I'm for this move back to glass and hope it's true.

Along with the possibility of an embedded home/finger print sensor under the display, or Apple's own take on curved/edge displays, and whatever else iOS 11 has in store for us, this could finally be an iPhone worth getting excited about.

 

[AppleInLVX]

Next year's iPhone (7 or 8, depending on what Apple calls this year's iPhone) is definitely the one to wait for.

You know, I keep waffling. I've been every-other-year on iPhones for a while now and this is my upgrade year, so I'm of two minds. Assuming all these rumours pan out, on the one hand, this year will represent the apex of the iteration--not just in form factor, but in the way everything works together. It'll likely be a rock-solid phone, good for a while. The new one will rock because of everything that's going to be new about it. Same way the 4 rocked. But the 4S was still my fav. Sigh. Too many questions, not enough answers.

 

[Mr Retina]

While I loved the visual design of my 4/4s I hated the glass enclosure. Not gonna bother paying a premium price for a glass case again, especially how much of a pain in the ass they made it to replace with that case design. I love the durability and lightweight feel to the iP (5-6s) aluminum case, outside of my 6s being a bar of soap without a case lol.