As the iPhone 8 draws near, the already numerous leaks are picking up, and today we’ve got what appears to be the first real-life shot of the phone.
That is, the first photo of the backplate for the handset – a series of which are shown being boxed up in a Foxconn package – a major manufacturer of iPhones.
Originally posted to a Chinese forum, the photo shows a box with several iPhone backplates, and thanks to the vertically-arranged dual camera cutout, we’re fairly confident they belong to the iPhone 8.
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Apple is expected to debut two iterative designs alongside the iPhone 8, thought to be called the iPhone 7S and 7S Plus.
But those two phones are expected to have horizontally-arranged dual camera setups, much like the iPhone 7 Plus.
All of which indicates that if this latest photo is legitimate, it shows parts for the iPhone 8, which is expected to debut some time in September.
Perhaps most interesting, however, is the inclusion of a cutout below the Apple logo, suggesting the company is moving the Touch ID sensor to the rear of the phone.
The fingerprint scanner has been the subject of much discussion in the run-up to the phone’s launch, as some analysts have predicted it could be removed altogether thanks to a new edge-to-edge display that will see the physical home button jettisoned.
Whatever the case, if this photo is legit, it would appear to provide pretty strong evidence that the scanner will appear on the rear of the phone.
That said, there’s no way to verify the photo at all, and at this point it remains entirely unclear just how trustworthy the source is.
Meanwhile, AppleInsider reports that notable KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo has predicted Apple will drop the Touch ID element altogether from the iPhone 8.
In a research note the site claims to have seen, the analyst reportedly says Apple has “cancelled” plans to embed the scanner in the phone.
It’s all very unclear at this point, but there’s not long to wait until the phone arrives, so stay tuned for the latest.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
