A leaked iPhone 8 render has given us a proper glimpse of what Apple’s next flagship smartphone might look like – and it’s very weird.
This year marks the 10th anniversary since Apple first launched the original iPhone back in 2007. To celebrate, Apple is expected to unveil a new handset design with the iPhone 8 that offers a more modern aesthetic than we’ve seen previously.
Giving us a first look at this supposed new design is prolific leaker and journalist Evan Blass, who has posted a case render of what’s claimed to be the iPhone 8 on Twitter.
Check it out:
iPhone 8 (encased) pic.twitter.com/9LpARCAML2
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 8, 2017
Given Blass’ excellent track record for leaks, and the fact that case renders often leak out in the month prior to a phone launch, we’re inclined to believe this is a legitimate render – although we can never truly be sure.
The real big change you can see from the render is on the front of the phone. Apple appears to be going for a bezel-free display, which has been heavily rumoured following a similar design approach from the Samsung Galaxy S8 and LG G6.
To achieve this, Apple has had to scrap the Home button – and the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, too – from the front of the handset. Rather than moving this to the back of the phone, Apple is expected to have embedded either an iris scanner or facial recognition system into the device to provide alternative user authentication.
What’s interesting is that Apple now has a small nubbin that sticks out into the display, which contains the sensors, camera, and speaker. It’s bordered on either side by screen, where you’ll now find signal information and battery charge details. This gives the actual display a very curious shape, so we’re not sure how Apple is going to broach this with app developers who may find their software looking a little odd.
Apple is also seemingly going to have to utilise some kind of software buttons, in a similar way to how Google’s virtual navigation icons work on Android.
In any case, we’ll need to take this leak with due caution, as we can’t verify its authenticity. Until Apple makes an official announcement – expected September – then we we won’t know anything for sure.
Related: Best Android phones
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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.