Apple iPhone 8 Rumors: Will Apple Release an iPhone Pro?

By Erik Pineda
iPhone 8 concept image
The image here is more of a doctored one than an actual iPhone 8 leak, so take it with a grain of salt. iPhone8Look

If rumors are to be believed, the plan this year is for Apple to release three upgraded flagships. To serve as direct successors of the 2016 models, the market is likely to see a 4.7-inch iPhone 7S and the upsized iPhone 7S Plus with a 5.5-inch screen. Then the highlight of Apple's 2017 push is the radically redesigned iPhone 8.

Now what to expect from the third variant and supposedly most premium of the 2017 line? A lot actually as the handset has been the subject of persistent rumors and torrent of leaks. Reputed Apple watcher Ming-chi Kuo has been saying the iPhone 8 will mark the initial use of OLED panel in the iPhone supply chain, and not a few analysts agree with him. It's important to note Kuo has made a solid name of providing iPhone-related predictions that mostly turned out as accurate.

The KGI Securities analyst is likewise convinced the iPhone 8 will unbox with a notable distinction from the iPhone 7S series - it will boast of a 5.8-inch display panel but the form factor will be nearly the same as that of the iPhone 7S Plus. That's because the largest of the iPhone will make use of an all-screen design - the entire front panel is nothing but glass save for a minimal cut out at the top of the screen for the camera sensor and front speaker.

Virtually, no screen bezels will be visible in the iPhone 8 and the same industrial design will lead to the ditching of the physical control buttons, or at least most of them. Practically confirmed to go is the iconic Home button, and the Touch ID that was embedded with it since the iPhone 5S is said to be relocated beneath the handset's OLED glass.

As for the other control keys, leaked details have indicated they'll be mostly replaced by the enhanced 3D Touch feature on the screen and high-grade sensors to replace, for instance, the volume rocker.

And more recently, it was suggested that the next iPhone will include wireless charging capabilities. This was hinted by the supposed all-glass design of the handset (picture the iPhone 4S with 2017 touch) as glass rear material will certainly allow for wire-free recharging when the device is rested on a charging pad.

All these game-changing features, Kuo said, have been causing production and supply headaches to Apple that the tech giant might be forced to delay the iPhone 8 arrival. It could be that both the iPhone 7S series and the iPhone 8 will be introduced as scheduled on September 2017 but it will only be the former that will sell immediately.

For the latter, the actual release date could be delayed until October or November and likely in limited supplies at the onset.

But before the iPhone 8 touchdown, BGR is proposing in a report Apple could do some tweaking on the label of the handsets. If indeed three models are coming out, the report said fans can expect the iPhone, iPhone Plus and iPhone Pro, which is in line with the naming approach now in use for the iPad line.

Or Apple can just adopt the straightforward iPad labelling that includes the device screen size, thus selling the handsets as 4.7-inch iPhone, 5.5-inch iPhone and 5.8-inch iPhone on release date.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories