Leaked iPhone 8 Schematic Validates Vertical Camera, Rear Touch ID Rumors

A new leaked schematic of this year’s flagship iPhone backs up iDrop News’ previous reports of a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.

The technical document was posted in a photo to Chinese social networking site Weibo by a currently unknown source. It appears to be a CAD document, and shows off a device around the same thickness as the iPhone 7 — but with minimal bezels, a vertically aligned camera suite, and a relocated Touch ID sensor on the back of the device. The schematics appear to be a CAD drawing from the Engineering Verification Testing phase — which usually occurs before any design or production validation testing.

Previously, iDrop News reported on schematics, sketches and additional information that suggested an updated design of this year’s 10th anniversary iPhone (which has been dubbed everything from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone Edition). Those leaks indicated a new location for the Touch ID sensor — specifically a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner — as well as a vertically aligned dual-camera system that protrudes from the back. Notably, they also seem to suggest that the display won’t be edge-to-edge — but will still retain minimal side, top and bottom bezels.

Here are the dimensions included in the latest leaked iPhone 8 schematics, compared against the dimensions of the current iPhone 7. Specifically, the iPhone 8 will have the same depth as its predecessor, but will have a slight bump in width and height.

iPhone 8 Dimensions

• Width: 72.5 mm
• Height: 149.5 mm
• Depth: 7.1 mm

iPhone 7 Dimensions

• Width: 67.1 mm
• Height: 138 mm
• Depth: 7.1 mm

The latest schematic also suggests that the 3.5mm headphone jack won’t make a comeback. Analog buttons and features like the ringer switch, volume toggles, SIM card tray, top-mounted lock button and the lightning connector will all be in their usual spots. The iPhone 8’s alleged Touch ID relocation would be a first for Apple’s flagship smartphones. Notably, Cupertino could be making the change because it has no choice — according to a recent report, the biggest design bottleneck that remains is integrating an under-the-display Touch ID sensor.

It’s worth noting that Apple is said to be testing up to 10 different iPhone prototypes this year — and this latest schematic could just be of one of those prototypes. The usual warnings for leaks and rumors apply: it’s best to take this schematic with a grain of salt. Having said that, the evidence is mounting that Apple will indeed relocate the fingerprint sensor.

[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.]