Apple to release iPhone in 2017 with iPhone 4-like glass design, wireless charging: Analyst
Apple plans to revamp the iPhone in 2017 with an iPhone 4-like glass design and AMOLED display, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a research note over the weekend (via 9to5mac).
The analyst believes the 2017 iPhone could come in a new 5.8-inch model with an AMOLED display. The new iPhone may revert back to similar design and materials like on the iPhone 4, and Apple is also testing plastic or ceramic, but is settling on glass.
It's not clear if the AMOLED display technology, which would be a first for Apple, would be featured on all screen sizes of the 2017 iPhone or just the 5.8-inch model. Some other big changes could come too, as Ming-Chi Kuo says wireless charging and biometric recognition tech could come to the 2017 iPhone.
It's worth noting that while the analyst's track record is good, we are still a far ways out from the launch of the iPhone, and Apple could throw out features. Ming-Chi Kuo doesn't provide specifics on when in the year the iPhone may be released.
The rumor-mill has been indicating the new iPhone model in 2016 will be similar to the iPhone 6s, though thinner and without a headphone port. It would make sense the 2017 model is a complete revamp from a hardware standpoint, leaving 2016 a year focused on software.