Ten years ago the world’s tech industry was forever revolutionized as Apple released its brand-new iPhone to the public.  Since that date, over 1 billion iPhones have been sold worldwide.  With their legion of followers, Apple has produced 9 models all to mostly critical acclaim.  The tenth model is still to be released but many sit in anticipation for what is to come, and several rumors have been inching them closer to the edges of their seats.  Let’s take a look at what might be in store for the iPhone 8.

To begin, the name of the next generation iPhone is still being speculated.  Many believe Apple will continue its pattern and name the phone the iPhone 7s; on the other hand, people believe they will name it the iPhone 8 due to its drastic differences from the iPhone 7.

To make things even more confusing, Apple might, in fact, be building three different versions of the next iPhone. According to 9to5 Mac, KGI Securities, which has a track record of accurately predicting Apple’s moves, there will be a 4.7-inch iPhone 7s, a 5.5-inch iPhone 7s Plus and a 5.5-inch iPhone 8 that will offer premium features not available on the 7s or 7s Plus.

Despite its nomenclature and different versions, the new iPhone will be packed with new and innovating technologies says Yahoo News.  Most notably, the home button is said to be getting a makeover.  Speculators insist that the home button will be included in the display.  This conclusion is drawn from the fact that Apple took out a patent in 2015 for a transparent home button.

In relation to the home button, the lock button on the outside of the phone might be updated along with the volume control buttons.  Much like the iPhone 7 home button, they will be flush to the exterior and be pressure triggered.  They will alert the user that they have been pressed via a small vibration.  This new feature will allow phone cases to be taken off and put back on with more ease than ever before.

According to the Nikkei Asian Review, the iPhone 8 will sport a curved, wraparound OLED display similar to Samsung’s Galaxy S7 Edge that could be 5.5 inches or larger. There seems to be some consensus among the various leaks and rumors that the iPhone 8 will be the only one to get an OLED screen, while the 7s and 7s Plus will get standard LED screens.

The OLED screen is more powerful and efficient than the LED screen.  Users will enjoy more vibrant colors and larger panel projection in addition to a longer battery life.  The screen will use less energy and hopefully improve the phone’s battery capability, a long time criticism of the iPhone brand.

Another innovation that has been a long time coming is wireless charging capabilities.  The ability to charge a device without using a cord is already a feature of the newest Samsung products as well as the Apple Watch Series 2.   Now it is rumored to be a feature of the iPhone as well.

How much will all of this innovation cost?  Sources say that the new 5.5 inch iPhone 8 will cost upwards of $1,000.  That is a lot of money compared to previous iPhones and listing prices of other top tech company’s products.

I asked a student of Air Academy and current owner of the iPhone 7, Niko Lunt, whether he would spend $1,000 to get the newest iPhone, “I think I probably would spend that much for the iPhone 8 just to see all the new stuff they included.”  Many Apple fans still seem very loyal to the Apple cause and will pledge their allegiance this time around in the form of a thousand dollar investment.

Critics of the new iPhone 8 say that it copies the designs of the latest Samsung Phone.  With its curved design, battery life, and wireless charging, anti-Apple individuals are claiming that Apple is trying to play catch up with the South Korean tech giant.  Opposition to these Samsung-endorsing critics say that they are just blowing smoke 🙂