The Apple iPhone 8 rumors started almost immediately after the iPhone 7 was released and now that it’s 2017, the rumors will only increase. The latest on the Apple iPhone 8 is that it may be made with a stainless steel chassis. Stainless steel is more expensive than aluminum and some are pointing to previous rumors that Apple will offer 3 versions of the new iPhone 8 with the stainless steel version being the most premium. The rumors have also been suggesting that the new Apple iPhone 8 will sport glass on the front and back — welcome back iPhone 4s? The iPhone 4s had a similar design with glass front and back and a stainless steel band.
While Apple is rumored to return to steel with the “iPhone 8” chassis, the fabrication process will be notably different from that of iPhone 4 and 4s. In particular, the company is said to be using a metal forging method instead of common billet milling.
Forging is a machining method that essentially squeezes a metal alloy between two halves of a mold —tool and die —to form a finished part. Compared to components crafted using subtractive machining methods like CNC, forged blanks provide superlative structural rigidity and can in some cases afford greater latitude in the design process.
Other rumors include the removal of the home button, integrating it into the glass front. This should theoretically shrink the size of the phone which leads to the rumor that the stainless steel iPhone 8 may have a larger screen. Apple is said to be keeping the 4.7″ and 5.5″ versions and will add a slightly larger screen in the more “premium” offering. Apple is also said to be thinking of using an OLED display on the new iPhone 8 as well as finally incorporating wireless charging, which should be much easier with glass construction.
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[button link=”http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/01/10/apple-to-forge-iphone-8-chassis-from-stainless-steel-report-says” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: Apple Insider[/button]Last Updated on January 23, 2017.
