iPhone 8 May Feature Rear-Facing 3D Laser for Improved Autofocus and AR

[CarlJ]

The price of cell phones are getting ridiculous.

The prices were always high, but the bundling that all the US carriers used up until a few years back (where they told you the phone cost $100-$200, and then they spread the remainder of the actual cost across your monthly bills), made phones look much less expensive - to most people - than they really were.

A smart phone is, in many cases, slowly moving towards being the single most important device a person has. It's a tiny networked computer that happens to also make phone calls. Some people want it to do more. I suspect the premium model will allow Apple to try out a lot of features that a) would be too expensive to put in the base iPhone, and b) they couldn't do at quantities approaching a million a day. Some folks will cheerfully line up to get those extra features. And the most popular of those features will likely show up in subsequent years' "normal" iPhone models (once they've got them ramped up to higher yields/quantities). I see this premium model (it won't be called the "8" - they'll have the "7s"/"7s+" per usual plus the "pro" or "edition") as something of a win/win - people who really want to splurge for the extra goodies can have them now, and that'll result in real improvements in next year's normal models.

 

[Sevendaymelee]

The prices were always high, but the bundling that all the US carriers used up until a few years back (where they told you the phone $100-$200, and then they spread the remainder of the actual cost across your monthly bills), made phones look much less expensive - to most people - than they really were.

A smart phone is, in many cases, slowly moving towards being the single most important device a person has. Some people want it to do more. I suspect the premium model will allow Apple to try out a lot of features that a) would be too expensive to put in the base iPhone, and b) they couldn't do at quantities approaching a million a day. Some folks will cheerfully line up to get those extra features. And the most popular of those features will likely show up in subsequent years' "normal" iPhone models (once they've got them ramped up to higher yields/quantities). I see this premium model (it won't be called the "8" - they'll have the "7s"/"7s+" per usual plus the "pro" or "edition") as something of a win/win - people who really want to splurge for the extra goodies can have them now, and that'll result in real improvements in next year's normal models.

If a person is only going to use one computing device and that device is going to be a smart phone, then I can see where the cost would be appropriate. But that would hinge of whether or not people will still want a new phone every year or two. If these things are suppose to replace my MacBook, then fine. But I don't replace that every year. I don't even replace that every other year. Currently, I'm using an early '14 MBP with 8GB memory on Sierra. The thing still runs like butter and does not need to be replaced.

If the average smart phone could go 5 years without the need of replacement, I could justify the cost. But the technological leaps they make compared to MacBooks... that's not going to happen. I'm not going to spend $1,000+ on any device every other year.

 

[KazKam]

Wake me up when they put one in that's powerful enough to vanquish my enemies... and warm up hot pockets.

 

[WRChris]

more hype and rumours that will most likely not happen enough lets just wait

Yeah macRUMORS, stop with the rumors and let's just wait. Lol

 

[ValO]

The rumors surrounding this phone are all over the place. Makes me wonder if Apple's design teams are even focused. Seems like they're just a bunch of guys with ADD.

Just the reporters, analysts and some fans have ADD.
Apple is already done with the final design, and working on software right now, to make most new features work.
All these rumors make it look like apple has no clue. I think the reality is quite the opposite. apple can execute and plan production, handle logistics better than most companies.

 

[johnnyturbouk]

I think it will be 999 dollars

Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha and Krishna! If Apple drops the price back to $799 and includes inductive charge as a standard, these will sell very well.

 

[ValO]

Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha and Krishna! If Apple drops the price back to $799 and includes inductive charge as a standard, these will sell very well.

Yeah, even more when they drop it to $649.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Its possible Apple could also announce the iPhone edition (or whatever they plan to call it) like they did with the first iPhone at Macworld 2007. So, you would have to wait 6 months, this would build up hype over a period of time until its truly ready. Launch on Steve Jobs birthday in February 2018.

 

[CarlJ]

Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha and Krishna! If Apple drops the price back to $799 and includes inductive charge as a standard, these will sell very well.

I hear it's gonna be $250 and come with a free Tesla Model S.

 

[Mr Staunton]

How neat would it be if it could also be used as a cutting tool.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

I've had the feeling Apple have been leaking false information about this new phone too, just to add confusion and help smother genuine leaks. And I really like it!

Apple NEVER leaks anything. Fanboys like to think they do so they can pretend that whatever they've made up in their heads fits their narrative.
[doublepost=1500008760][/doublepost]

Well I know that the Home Button and Touch ID will function and remain exactly where they are now.
[doublepost=1499946558][/doublepost]
It offers superior AR... hardware is required for the best AR.

What utter bulls##t,
"Well I know..." you know nothing! You haven't a clue whether these features will remain.
"It offers superior AR..."
Does it? You've seen this rumored feature on a rumored phone have you? Not only that but you know it's superior than iOS 11 paired with an iPad Pro?
[doublepost=1500009145][/doublepost]

Any examples? There are only two phones that use Google Tango (which uses similiar or same tech). Wouldn't call that "many" but maybe I missed something?

How many examples do you want before you concede that Apple doesn't deserve the credit? (if indeed they do pull it off).
[doublepost=1500009319][/doublepost]

Something like this is definitely going to be in iPhone this year. ARKit basically confirmed it.

Yet at WWDC they demoed ARKit on an iPAD Pro.

 

[Keirasplace]

Seems like Google's Project Tango using laser technology. In 2016. Very cool.

How many dozens have they sold.... Huh. Seriously, your comment is a non sequitur.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

Its possible Apple could also announce the iPhone edition (or whatever they plan to call it) like they did with the first iPhone at Macworld 2007. So, you would have to wait 6 months, this would build up hype over a period of time until its truly ready. Launch on Steve Jobs birthday in February 2018.

But the fanboys will get their panties in a twist.
"It's gotta launch this year because it's the tenth anniversary iPhone!"
"It's gotta be the first product launched at the new Steve Jobs Theater at Apple's new campus!"
"It's gotta be revolutionary again!"
But seriously, yeah you've right, Apple announces it come September and delivers it next year sometime.

 

[Mr. Donahue]

Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha and Krishna! If Apple drops the price back to $799 and includes inductive charge as a standard, these will sell very well.

I knew a guy in HS that would say Jesus Mohammed Buddha Krishna lol

 

[recoil80]

Its possible Apple could also announce the iPhone edition (or whatever they plan to call it) like they did with the first iPhone at Macworld 2007. So, you would have to wait 6 months, this would build up hype over a period of time until its truly ready. Launch on Steve Jobs birthday in February 2018.

My guess is they'll announce the phone together with 7s and 7s+ and launch it a few weeks later, maybe with iOS 11.1
A 6 months wait seems too long to me, this is not a new product like AW or iPhone back in 2007, a lot of people buy this via carriers or iPhone upgrade program so they expect to buy it before the end of the year.
Next spring seems a good timing for the product red version

 

[WatchFromAfar]

My guess is they'll announce the phone together with 7s and 7s+ and launch it a few weeks later, maybe with iOS 11.1
A 6 months wait seems too long to me, this is not a new product like AW or iPhone back in 2007, a lot of people buy this via carriers or iPhone upgrade program so they expect to buy it before the end of the year.
Next spring seems a good timing for the product red version

If this iPhone whatever is really having the problems the rumours sites are suggesting it's having why do you think "a few weeks" is going to solve those problems?

And to those people who "buy this via carriers or iPhone upgrade program" there will be the 7s/7s+. Apple never said this new premium iPhone would be available to them, so why expect it?.

 

[recoil80]

If this iPhone whatever is really having the problems the rumours sites are suggesting it's having why do you think "a few weeks" is going to solve these problems?

I don't think they have all those problems.
Every year we read from analysts about iPhone delays, and every year they are proven wrong. Sure you can have shortages of some models (i.e. jet black last year) but they didn't miss the September launch.
This year they're going to launch three models, and we can expect shortages and maybe a delay for the "whatever" model, but I don't think it will ship in 2018, that's why I wrote "few weeks".

 

[mrklaw]

Its possible Apple could also announce the iPhone edition (or whatever they plan to call it) like they did with the first iPhone at Macworld 2007. So, you would have to wait 6 months, this would build up hype over a period of time until its truly ready. Launch on Steve Jobs birthday in February 2018.

The first time they launched iphone, and you had to wait a few months to get it - they didn't have other iphones on the market that people would stop buying because they're waiting for the new one.

They couldn't get away with a 6 month lead on something presented as a big step forward - current iphone sales would tank for the next two quarters.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

This year they're going to launch three models, and we can expect shortages and maybe a delay for the "whatever" model, but I don't think it will ship in 2018, that's why I wrote "few weeks".

To be fair saying it won't ship in 2018 but 2017, gives Apple an additional 4 months (all of September, October, November, December) to ship iPhone whatever (yes I'm going with it), hardly "a few weeks" it's actually 1/3 of a year!.

 

[Pilgrim1099]

How many dozens have they sold.... Huh. Seriously, your comment is a non sequitur.

Defensive, much?

It's NOT about the sales but rather how ahead they are. It's not about how much units Apple sells, but rather how the competition has the tech, practically, out there.

You miss the point. Googles Project Tango DESTROYS Apple's ability to claim being 'ahead' of the market on AR. They've never been. Cook can't go on stage and say " But look what we got! We've been working on AR for yeeeaars! " ( yeah...right. BS ). But they showed an iPad Pro demo of AR as the guy keeps holding it up....oh wait...for how much longer? Isn't he gonna get 'gorilla arms'? Oh, the hypocrisy.

Everything they say or do seems to an illusion to make people think they're really ahead.

 

[johnnyturbouk]

I knew a guy in HS that would say Jesus Mohammed Buddha Krishna lol

I wanted to convey a sense of equality and diversity.

 

[CarlJ]

I wanted to convey a sense of equality and diversity.

The Greek and Norse gods are feeling slighted.

 

[sos47]

makes no sense for wide lenses like smarthphones have

 

[admob71]

. It might not be THE best at any single thing but iPhone is THE best overall phone when you consider the entire package.

Is it? Define best? Some would argue that the s6/s7/s8 galaxy models have had better screens, cameras and actual hardware. Their designs are amazing plus incredibly well built. 9
So with these majors things on device lacking on iPhone, are we really saying that they are the best overall.? #justsaying

 

[9594864]

Apple NEVER leaks anything. Fanboys like to think they do so they can pretend that whatever they've made up in their heads fits their narrative.
[doublepost=1500008760][/doublepost]
What utter bulls##t,
"Well I know..." you know nothing! You haven't a clue whether these features will remain.
"It offers superior AR..."
Does it? You've seen this rumored feature on a rumored phone have you? Not only that but you know it's superior than iOS 11 paired with an iPad Pro?
[doublepost=1500009145][/doublepost]
How many examples do you want before you concede that Apple doesn't deserve the credit? (if indeed they do pull it off).
[doublepost=1500009319][/doublepost]
Yet at WWDC they demoed ARKit on an iPAD Pro.

I know they will remain because logic dictates they will.

Anyone with half a clue knows that AR is superior with hardware. It's insanely simple: infrared light emitted onto the environment and received back on the phone's sensors gives the computer vision in the literal sense of the word. It's fundamentally important for the best AR in the future.
[doublepost=1500066798][/doublepost]

Defensive, much?

It's NOT about the sales but rather how ahead they are. It's not about how much units Apple sells, but rather how the competition has the tech, practically, out there.

You miss the point. Googles Project Tango DESTROYS Apple's ability to claim being 'ahead' of the market on AR. They've never been. Cook can't go on stage and say " But look what we got! We've been working on AR for yeeeaars! " ( yeah...right. BS ). But they showed an iPad Pro demo of AR as the guy keeps holding it up....oh wait...for how much longer? Isn't he gonna get 'gorilla arms'? Oh, the hypocrisy.

Everything they say or do seems to an illusion to make people think they're really ahead.

They said something that most people can understand and it's very simple:


iOS 11 is the biggest AR platform in the world, overnight when it ships this fall. Hundreds of millions of devices will be capable of running some AR apps before the year ends.

Understand?
[doublepost=1500066855][/doublepost]

makes no sense for wide lenses like smarthphones have

This comment makes no sense. What are you talking about?