iPhone 8 Said to Have Separate Wireless Charger, No Headphone Jack Adapter or USB-C Cable in Box

[MacRumors]

Apple is planning to release three new iPhone models later this year, including 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models and an all-new 5-inch model with an OLED display and glass casing, according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara.

iPhone 8 concept by visual designer Moe Slah​

The report, citing "reliable sources" within Apple's supply chain, insists that only the OLED model will adopt glass casing and wireless charging capabilities, contradicting a Nikkei report and KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's repeated claims that all 2017 iPhones will feature an all-glass design and wireless charging.

The blog previously said the more iterative "iPhone 7s" and "iPhone 7s Plus" models will lack wireless charging and retain the now-familiar aluminum design that Apple has used since the iPhone 6 lineup in 2014. Apple supplier Catcher Technology also said it expects only one new iPhone model to have glass casing.

The loosely-translated report suggests the wireless charging will not be a built-in feature, but rather a separate accessory based on technology from Luxshare, a Chinese company that has been rumored to be a supplier of wireless charging coils for the inductive Apple Watch charger in the past.

Samsung's wireless charging stand for the latest Galaxy smartphones​

If the report is accurate, it would mean Apple's next iPhones will not have truly wireless long-range charging capabilities, but rather contact-based inductive charging like the Apple Watch or Qi-based charging pads like Samsung's "Fast Charge" stand. Qi's latest Quick Charge 2.0 spec supports wireless charging up to 15W.

Over the course of the last year, there has been ongoing speculation that wireless charging company Energous has inked a deal with Apple to potentially provide wireless charging technology for the iPhone 8, but patents and other evidence suggest Apple may pursue its own in-house inductive charging solutions instead.

Overall, rumors surrounding Apple's wireless charging plans are still lacking consensus. Reports have linked MediaTek, Foxconn, Pegatron, and Lite-On Semiconductor as possible suppliers of wireless charging chips or modules.

Five years ago, Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller said "it's not clear how much convenience" wireless charging systems that have to be plugged in to a wall outlet add, while noting the ubiquity of the USB cord.

As for wireless charging, Schiller notes that the wireless charging systems still have to be plugged into the wall, so it's not clear how much convenience they add. The widely-adopted USB cord, meanwhile, can charge in wall outlets, computers and even on airplanes, he said.

The report also claims Apple will no longer include a Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter in the box alongside its next iPhones. Meanwhile, Apple's Lightning to USB-C Cable is said to remain an optional purchase, dashing hopes of connecting the "iPhone 8" to a newer MacBook or MacBook Pro straight out of the box.

Given that Apple's wireless AirPods and BeatsX earphones are now available, perhaps it feels including the Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter in the box is no longer necessary. But the inclusion of only a Lightning to USB-A Cable, rather than a Lightning to USB-C Cable or both, makes less sense given Apple's port future.

Mac Otakara was one of the first sources to claim Apple would remove the headphone jack on iPhone 7, and it also revealed plans for a Jet Black color and longer earpiece cutout, but some of its rumors, including the addition of a "Jet White" color and a planned iPhone 6 battery program, have yet to materialize.

Article Link: iPhone 8 Said to Have Separate Wireless Charger, No Headphone Jack Adapter or USB-C Cable in Box

 

[Appleaker]

It makes no sense to not include a USB C cable in the box because most people charge with the included adapter only, so it's not a compatibility issue. Additionally, they are pushing the standard and it would make sense to at least include it with the premium model.

If the Wireless charging chip comes from Foxconn or Lite-On Semiconductor, this does not rule out the possibility of RF charging.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

They are trying their hardest to make people mad.

1. Adopting a gimmick charging system years after everyone else.
2. Not being able to plug the phone in to a new MacBook Pro out of the box.

 

[Creep89]

Yeah sure Apple, what we really need is more fragmentation.

 

[Cougarcat]

I agree with five-years-ago Phil. If wireless requires a pad, I don't see the point.

 

[cardfan]

So sounds like iphone 7S (as predicted) and an "iphone pro" version. Ok.. I doubt the pro version will have a faster A chip (than the 7S) so calling it an iphone 8 doesn't make too much sense. Hopefully it'll have support for the next apple pencil but this seems doubtful too.

That wireless charging isn't looking like anything a Palm Pre couldn't do years ago (the pics look pretty disappointing). But the OLED screen looks like the main draw. It still wouldn't surprise me to see this all delayed til 2018.

 

[Velin]

Cupertino "spaceship," funded entirely by dongle purchases.

 

[OS X Dude]

I'm nowhere close to replacing my fancy Sennheiser Momentum headphones, bit of a kicker that I'll need to purchase an adaptor to use them but I'm sure I can source one from work anyway .

The lack of USB-C charging cable in the box is actually slightly understandable - many iPhone customers won't have bought the latest MacBook Pro and no other Mac yet supports USB-C. They're just pleasing the majority (for once!) and those who've changed Macs can buy the adaptor if they haven't already. Although there is a point to be made about *many* people having more Lightning cables than iPhones in their house...

 

[Andres Cantu]

We need part leaks already!!!

 

[needfx]

my bet with the naming is "iPhone X"

roman X

 

[Appleaker]

I'm nowhere close to replacing my fancy Sennheiser Momentum headphones, bit of a kicker that I'll need to purchase an adaptor to use them but I'm sure I can source one from work anyway .

The lack of USB-C charging cable in the box is actually slightly understandable - many iPhone customers won't have bought the latest MacBook Pro and no other Mac yet supports USB-C. They're just pleasing the majority (for once!) and those who've changed Macs can buy the adaptor if they haven't already. Although there is a point to be made about *many* people having more Lightning cables than iPhones in their house...

It may be slightly understandable from the compatibility viewpoint, but if this year proves anything it's that this doesn't stop Apple whatsoever. Furthermore, plugging into a computer is a rarety for most people so it doesn't make sense to delay it because of that. Besides, by the iPhone release, we will have a few more Macs (and PCs) with Thunderbolt 3.

 

[rGiskard]

They are trying their hardest to make people mad.

1. Adopting a gimmick charging system years after everyone else.
2. Not being able to plug the phone in to a new MacBook Pro out of the box.

Apple's greatest strength in my view is how seamlessly iOS and macOS integrate. If you use Macs then an iPhone is a no-brainer. Yet now Apple's iPhone doesn't plug in to their laptops without an overpriced adapter cable.

From "Insanely Great" to "Insane" since Jobs's death.

 

[ajcadoo]

DITCH THE LIGHTNING PORT. JUST GIVE ME A USB-C PORT APPLE. PLEASE!!!!!

 

[downtherabbithole]

Wireless charging is one feature I can live without but no USB-C connectivity out of the box is annoying. And only one has metal casing? So you can spend probably $900 and not even have the flagship? Come on Apple.

 

[itsmilo]

This better not be true. First they force me to get used to a huge 5.5 device to get the latest and now they want me to actually GO BACK to a "tiny" 5.0 just to get the best device? Stupid

 

[AndyDiamond]

whaaaaaaaaat?

No headphone jack!!!!!!

Will never buy!!!!!

 

[Appleaker]

my bet with the naming is "iPhone X"

roman X

It's that or SE... hopefully not Anniversary Edition. It certainly won't be called the iPhone 8 and I hope it's not called iPhone 7S Pro or 7SE. I think iPhone X is the best name for this model.

 

[tbayrgs]

Apple continues doing their best to push this longtime customer who's spent many thousands of $ on their gear towards their competitors with every new product release.

 

[TxExCxH]

The premium iPhone model should have USB-C. I wonder how long they are gonna milk the lightning connector.

 

[andy.ringwood]

To me, if you need to apply the phone to a pad to charge it you may as well plug it in.

Also, it's good Apple are charging separately for the charging pad because there are people (like me) who would still charge the normal way and if they included it in the box, it'd cost even more.

Anyway, these are rumours.

 

[RealKrS]

I can't wait for them to announce that $299.00 Wireless Charge Base at the next Keynote and hear the 3 organized clapping from Apple Employees sitting in the crowd!...

 

[rillrill]

Ugh. If true, I'm glad I switched back to an SE. I prefer the iPad for most computing and the iPhone is just for making phone calls, music, and on the go activities. A new casing and wireless charging isn't enough these days. Bring on the parts leaks

 

[vvs14]

Well I really want to treat a rumor like a rumor and not as a fact... But Apple has already pulled this kind of crap once, so it's not hard to imagine they would do it again.

 

[needfx]

It's that or SE... hopefully not Anniversary Edition. It certainly won't be called the iPhone 8 and I hope it's not called iPhone 7S Pro or 7SE. I think iPhone X is the best name for this model.

they'll definitely need a moniker commanding the price tag, and SE doesn't seem to cut it given that is currently tagged onto a smaller, cheaper option.

 

[andy.ringwood]

Wireless charging is one feature I can live without but no USB-C connectivity out of the box is annoying. And only one has metal casing? So you can spend probably $900 and not even have the flagship? Come on Apple.

iPhones already cost around £900. If they are releasing three models, the two based on the design we already have would be for people who wouldn't want to spend £1000+ on the premium model which'd include a brand new design.