Apple suppliers have let slip that the iPhone tenth anniversary model will have three different models, one with a premium AMOLED screen and facial recognition.
Asian researcher Trendforce has tracked down preliminary orders for approximately 100 million iPhone “8” (or X as the case may be) components and it is expected that the majority of orders – well over 40% - will be for the premium “Plus” version.
The standard models will have a 4.7” and 5.2” IPS screens. The current SE, iPhone 6S, and Plus models will be discontinued. Production of the 7 and 7 Plus will be “brutally” scaled back to artificially force buyers to the new and more expensive models.
Based on the information from the supply chain, the top-of-the-line Plus version will have a 5.8”, 2K (quad HD), 2.5D, AMOLED display sourced from Samsung. It will be flat rather than the Galaxy Edge style because Apple cannot get enough curved screens and with its design (which could have no top or bottom bezel as shown in the mock-up header image) is concerned at drop test results.
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Another supplier has confirmed that the physical home button is gone as fingerprint and power-on will be integrated into the display. This allows a higher screen to body ratio (smaller device), an area the current design woefully lacks. There is a strong rumour that the display ratio aspect could be 2:1 (same as 18:9 as LG has revealed for its new G6).
In terms of memory and storage specifications the Plus will have 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 64GB of UFS 2.0 storage (again using Samsung sourced 3-D NAND) with a 256GB option.
Front camera based Biometric security has been revealed by another supplier. TrendForce expects it to incorporate the 3D Sensing technology that can be used to provide facial recognition and features related to virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
It says Apple will place a “very large premium” on the Plus model (expected to be over US$1000 or A$1599). As China has outlawed Telco carrier “subsidies” this is the first time the “real” price will be seen there. It may drive sales to local makers - but equally it could reinstate the iPhone "status".
The lower specified 4.7 and 5.5” models will have 2GB RAM and 32GB base and will be well under US$600 to capture volume of sales and compete against Huawei and OPPO offerings.
Samsung will supply the AMOLED panels – there is no other manufacturer able to do so. This will lead to a shortage of AMOLED panel supply preventing some Chinese brands from achieving the same kind of exceptional shipment growth as they did last year – ZTE, for example, uses a Samsung AMOLED panel as do Moto and many more later comers.
Comment
Trendforce is usually spot on in its reports. As the design-to-release phase for a new phone is around 18 months, now is the time for component orders to be placed with suppliers to ensure a November launch.
It seems Apple’s Plus big screen and dual camera thunder will be stolen by the LG G6 at MWC and Samsung is also looking at an 18:9 Edge screen for its S8 to be announced in March.
All makers will up the flagship ante this year to try to counter Apple’s 10th anniversary model. Long live competition!