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  • Ming-Chi Kuo: 2017 iPhone will ditch metal design for glass, add AMOLED display, wireless charging and more

Ming-Chi Kuo: 2017 iPhone will ditch metal design for glass, add AMOLED display, wireless charging and more

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Ming-Chi Kuo: 2017 iPhone will ditch metal design for glass, add AMOLED display, wireless charging and more
With Apple having just taken off the wraps off the new iPhone SE alongside the 9.7-inch edition of the iPad Pro, we'll probably have to wait until the fall to see what Cupertino has in store for its next flagship smartphone. As ever, there's already been plenty of speculation as to what the fruit company may or may not be including with year's model, and resident Apple expert Ming-Chi Kuo has once again been at the heart of it. Now, the KGI Securities analyst believes that the iPhone line could be set for a major overhaul next year, including a departure from the largely metallic finish and a possible switch to AMOLED display technology.

The iPhone 4 and 4s deployed a profile that comprised mostly glass, right the way up until the iPhone 5 brought a metallic aesthetic. According to Kuo, Apple may revert back to a similar material utilized by some of its earlier efforts. He believes that Apple is also toying with the idea of plastic or ceramic, but foresees the firm eventually settling on glass.

This would be quite the u-turn from Apple given that a metal finish has adorned every iPhone since 2012, bar the plasticky iPhone 5c. Kuo believes the 2017 iPhone will have a glass front and back with a metal outer edge akin to the iPhone 4/4s, though the form factor and design will apparently be "completely new." As far as the display goes, Kuo offers the notion of Apple incorporating an AMOLED panel with at least one of the 2017's models.

This idea of AMOLED arriving so soon to the iPhone line-up somewhat counters Kuo's earlier predictions that Apple would wait until 2019 or later to dabble in the alternative display tech. The analyst believes that Apple may introduce a new 5.8-inch iPhone next year with AMOLED -- a device that will supposedly replace the current 5.5-inch model. It's unclear if the standard 4.7-inch iPhone will also be seeing this new panel, or whether the larger model effectively be used as a guinea pig.

The big changes don't end there, either. Next year's models could also include wireless charging along with biometric recognition tech (think face or iris-scanning). It goes without saying that such features been prevalent in the Android space for a number of years. But while the iPhone line has still continued to sell high numbers without these aspects, the counter-argument would be that Apple's famed smartphone brand has become a little stale -- a point difficult to refute given the iPhone SE's not-so-new design. 

Whilst Kuo is highly regarded in Apple rumor circles and has a great track record, it's worth remembering that these tidbits relate to products that likely won't see the light of day for another 18 months. With such a while to go, there's a good chance that even if the new info is accurate for now, it could well be subject to change.

Still, do you think Apple would be right to revert to a glass housing and roll with an AMOLED display next year? Let us know below!

source: 9to5Mac

93 Comments
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posted on 26 Mar 2016, 13:40 52
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1. Arschsalat (banned) (Posts: 158; Member since: 29 Feb 2016)


...and they call it Samsung ^^

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 13:53 2
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7. zeeBomb (Posts: 2304; Member since: 14 Aug 2014)


Ming seems like he works for apple with all these rumors that could actually be true LOL. we will forget that when apple unveils oled Samsung had that tech for years

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 14:01 23
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10. OfficialAndroidOpinion (banned) (Posts: 19; Member since: 24 Mar 2016)


Apple is seriously a horrible company that resorts to child labor just to make a quick buck. Any person who purchases their crap should be considered just as cruel.

All they do is steal ideas and confuse their consumers into thinking it was theirs.

#WeKnowWhatYoureDoingApple

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 14:14 4
Reply

16. Wiencon (Posts: 2022; Member since: 06 Aug 2014)


And they obviously started war in Syria so immigrants can steal cash from EU to buy iPhones

#thiscommentispointlessdontreaditbecauseyouwilllos​efoursecondsofyourlifewithoutchancetogetthistimeba​ckthisisnotbacktothefuturekid

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 15:29
Reply

34. tedkord (Posts: 14123; Member since: 17 Jun 2009)


He's a reverse troll, like Norm. Ignore him.

posted on 27 Mar 2016, 06:40 2
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78. S-R-K (banned) (Posts: 304; Member since: 15 Mar 2016)


No he is not. Are you saying he spoke of BS? Wth is wrong with you? I thought you was the most unbiased person along with Remixfa and TyrionLanister and Sniggly?
Wtf when did Apple turn you into Thier indoctrination?

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 15:28
Reply

33. tedkord (Posts: 14123; Member since: 17 Jun 2009)


DIAF, Norm Jr.

posted on 27 Mar 2016, 21:08
Reply

98. TheHitman1982 (Posts: 71; Member since: 30 Dec 2014)


If you think Apple is the only company who has child labor you need to stop drinking the kool aid. ~ an android user

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 14:03 2
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12. GreenMan (Posts: 1817; Member since: 09 Nov 2015)


Apple is playing out safe!
We all are well aware that Samsung's curved display tech is mostly a dud... Remember Apple patented a curved display iPhone not so long ago?
Apple learnt a lesson and instead focused on force Touch...
Now its up to you to decide whether Apple is CAUTIOUS or a COWARD...
G'Day!

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 15:11 15
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27. TechieXP1969 (Posts: 14522; Member since: 25 Sep 2013)


Really? Lasy year the St Edge was the top selling for the S6. Just Shin lost his job because he didn't handle the demand for the S6 Edge because they didn't expect it to be as huge a seller.

This year the S7 Edge is selling faster then the S7. The Note 5 also was a huge seller. So I would say, as per usual you have no mideast what you're talking about.

Have a good day.

posted on 27 Mar 2016, 03:05
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70. GreenMan (Posts: 1817; Member since: 09 Nov 2015)


@TechieXP1969

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough...

Curved displays are a dud in a practical sense...

And just to enlighten you, people aren't buying Edges solely because of curved displays ...

You're a typical fan boy with a rather "curved" mind...

And you've my sympathy...

posted on 27 Mar 2016, 12:48 3
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92. Adreno (banned) (Posts: 755; Member since: 12 Mar 2016)


"people aren't buying Edges solely because of curved displays"

Then because of what other reason?

Explain why the S6 Edge outsold the S6 despite both having the exact same specs and features.

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 20:50 2
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60. nodes (Posts: 761; Member since: 06 Mar 2014)


do people really think Samsung invent AMOLED?

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 21:41 8
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62. iushnt (Posts: 2260; Member since: 06 Feb 2013)


Anyone could have invented, not interested at all..But they surely revolutionized it

posted on 27 Mar 2016, 06:51 3
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81. S-R-K (banned) (Posts: 304; Member since: 15 Mar 2016)


There is a big difference between Amoled, super Amoled and Amoled+. Apple just using cheap Amoled.

posted on 27 Mar 2016, 21:09 1
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99. TheHitman1982 (Posts: 71; Member since: 30 Dec 2014)


to be honest you have no idea what apple is using.

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 13:44 17
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2. warrenellis93 (Posts: 239; Member since: 21 Jul 2011)


Wow 2017, just in time to be late to the party

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 20:45 1
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59. nodes (Posts: 761; Member since: 06 Mar 2014)


Samsung will sue them for using their dual glass body design.

tch, cheap Apple.

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 13:46 32
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3. Punchy506 (Posts: 129; Member since: 10 Jan 2016)


So the 2017 iPhone is going to be a 2015 Samsung? Cool, apples on the right track.

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 13:52 4
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6. GreenMan (Posts: 1817; Member since: 09 Nov 2015)


@Punchy506 Knowing Apple, The 2017 iPhone be a few steps ahead of The Samsung...

Apple has a knack of implementing new technology in the most innovative and practical way possible...

And that's coming from a Nexus user!

Us Nexus-iers tend to be open minded... Well, mostly...

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 14:56 20
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22. Donone41 (Posts: 91; Member since: 17 Dec 2014)


Yea ok sheep. Samsung>>>>>>>>>>>apple.

posted on 27 Mar 2016, 08:00 2
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85. S-R-K (banned) (Posts: 304; Member since: 15 Mar 2016)


He loves Apple but uses a Nexus. He gives credit to Apple for everything, but never criticised Nexus phones.

Looks like he is a old aged guy who likes basic simple things in life. This guy hates technology.

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 21:43 4
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63. iushnt (Posts: 2260; Member since: 06 Feb 2013)


Nexus is plain featureless compared to Samsung. Use S7 or note 5 then see

posted on 27 Mar 2016, 06:42
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79. Jairus24 (Posts: 49; Member since: 20 Jan 2012)


The most innovative? I don't think so.

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 18:22 3
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51. KONICHIWA-ANNYONG (unregistered)


2015?

The ORiginal Galaxy S had AMOLED screens (2011).

Even the ones before that, whatever they were called.

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 20:26 3
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58. submar (Posts: 583; Member since: 19 Sep 2014)


isheep will say Galaxy S copies iphone 2017.

posted on 26 Mar 2016, 21:37 3
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61. Punchy506 (Posts: 129; Member since: 10 Jan 2016)


Amoled with metal and glass build and no SD card, sounds like an s6 to me.

posted on 27 Mar 2016, 09:43 2
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88. Rocket (Posts: 434; Member since: 24 Feb 2014)


2008 to be exact.
The phone from the link below was my first smartphone and had (has bcz still works like new) Amoled screen.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_SPH-M900

posted on 27 Mar 2016, 09:47
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89. Rocket (Posts: 434; Member since: 24 Feb 2014)


2009*

posted on 27 Mar 2016, 12:57
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93. Adreno (banned) (Posts: 755; Member since: 12 Mar 2016)


@KONICHIWA-ANNYONG

The original Galaxy S was in 2010.

And the 2015 Super AMOLED is leaps and bounds and way superior to 2010 Super AMOLED.

You should search to know the differences in each new SAMOLED in Samsung Galaxy S to S7.

Galaxy S6's Super AMOLED is stunning.

* Some comments have been hidden, because they don't meet the discussions rules.

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