iPhone 8 Rumored to Include AirPods and Feature ‘Enhanced’ Sound

Among the long list of next-generation features and refinements, Apple’s highly-anticipated iPhone 8 will reportedly boast an “enhanced receiver” with “further improvements to stereo sound,” according to the latest research note released by a group of JP Morgan analysts, including Gokul Hariharan, who periodically track the latest happenings within Apple’s Asia-Pacific supply chain.

The iPhone’s receiver is the small, mesh-grilled cutout on the top-center of the device, which is also commonly referred to as the earpiece through which users can hear the caller on the other end of the line. The iPhone 7’s earpiece was the first to be redesigned as an actual loud speaker, meaning that the 2016 handset features stereo-quality audio output from both its top and bottom ends. Apple claims that with two speakers, “iPhone 7 delivers two times the audio output of an iPhone 6s with increased dynamic range.”

The research note apparently stops short of providing any details about what acoustical improvements iPhone 8 hopefuls can expect with the enhanced audio technology, however at the very least, we can expect better sound quality and a higher peak volume for audio output. The report also alleges that the speaker, itself, will be equipped with better waterproofing, echoing the sentiments of a previous report that suggested the iPhone 8 will ship featuring advanced, IP68 dust- and water-proofing certification.

iPhone 8 Could Come Bundled with AirPods

Interestingly, the note goes on to allege that instead of Apple’s standard EarPods with a Lightning to 3.5mm headset adapter, Apple will ship a free pair of its super-premium wireless AirPods with every iPhone 8 — which could also be called the iPhone Edition.

While the likelihood of this rumor being true is slim, it’s actually not impossible. We know that Apple’s top-of-the-line, 10th anniversary handset will be special, boasting a myriad of next-generation technologies and fulfilling almost all of our iPhone feature fantasies. We also know, based on previous reports, that the flagship will command a hefty price — perhaps somewhere in the ballpark of $1,000 for the base-model featuring 64 GB of storage.

Therefore, while it’s unlikely that Apple will replace its $29 EarPods (which cost practically nothing to manufacture) with a pair of $159 AirPods, we’ll encourage you take this rumor with a grain of salt, at least until we see what Apple has to say when the device is unveiled later on this year.

In the interim, the rumor mill has provided us with a whirlwind of information pertaining to the iPhone Edition’s advanced feature set, which will include a dramatic redesign in the form of a glass and steel frame, next-generation internals including a beastly A11 SoC, a larger battery with wireless charging capabilities, a gorgeous 5.8-inch OLED display, IP68 dust- and water-proofing, and Apple’s revolutionary new 3D facial recognition platform. JPMorgan estimates that the device will cost between $75 and $80 more to manufacture than the iPhone 7

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]