We’ve been hearing for a while rumors of Apple’s upcoming iPhone models, including a special “Anniversary Edition” model, that packs extra features and a price-tag to match. Now, another credible voice in the industry has weighed in, corroborating many of these previous reports.
The Wall Street Journal, which has traditionally had a very good track record on Apple news, is saying that the next iPhone will have a curved AMOLED display, similar to the one found on Samsung edge devices. The 10th anniversary iPhone model, which is expected to launch alongside two lesser iPhone 7s models, will also ditch the Home button for a touch screen function area, and replace the traditional Lightning port with a standard USB Type-C one.
The screen and Home button changes have been rumored numerous times before, with Samsung being viewed as the most likely supplier for the AMOLED panels that Apple will need. However, this is the first time that any source mentions the replacement of the Lightning connector, which would be an interesting move for Apple, a company that traditionally resists adopting industry-wide standards in favor of proprietary implementations. No doubt, users and peripheral manufacturers would rejoice at such a move.
However, all of these changes come with a hefty price tag, with the anniversary iPhone model, sometimes dubbed the iPhone 8, expected to cost upwards of $1000. If that is too much, even for an Apple fan, the company is also expected to put out standard iPhone 7s models, with LCD screens and familiar designs.
As usual, Apple likes to steal the thunder from other companies, so an educated guess tells us this news from anonymous sources, just as MWC is happening, is no coincidence. However, we’ll still have to wait for the official iPhone reveal that’s expected in the Fall to learn the full truth of the matter.
Source: WSJ (paywall)
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