New Hands-on Video Shows What 2018’s New iPhones Might Look Like
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A new video posted today might give the world its first hands-on look at this year’s iPhone lineup.
Using “final design” schematics reportedly leaked from Apple’s supply chain, Japanese site Mac Otakara acquired 3D-printed dummy models of the three iPhones expected to debut this year.
Here’s what they show off.
iPhone X Successor
First off is the direct successor to the iPhone X. According to previous reports, the 5.8-inch OLED-equipped handset is largely expected to be pretty similar to the 2017 Apple flagship.
Though it’s basically the same form factor as the 2017 iPhone X, the leaked schematics seem to suggest that the device would be about 1.1mm wider than the iPhone X.
Mac Otakara notes that it could simply be a discrepancy based on a misreading of the provided schematics — basically, incorrectly using the iPhone’s button height as part of its overall width.
While the rear camera on the dummy device was slightly misaligned, the Japanese news site was able to successfully use an iPhone X case on the mockup unit.
iPhone X Plus
A dummy of the so-called iPhone X Plus, which is rumored to pack a 6.5-inch OLED display, was also shown off in Mac Otakara’s video.
Based on the provided schematics, the most directly comparable device in Apple’s current stable of devices is the iPhone 8 Plus. The iPhone X Plus is roughly the same size and thickness but manages to maximize the useable display space (5.5-inch vs 6.5-inch).
However, cases made for the 8 Plus won’t work on the iPhone X Plus.
6.1-inch LCD iPhone
Lastly, Mac Otakara went hands-on with the rumored 6.1-inch LCD iPhone. There’s not really an analog for the device in Apple’s previous iPhone lineups, since it’s rumored to replace both the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus but with a new form factor.
The 6.1-inch LCD iPhone is larger than the iPhone X but smaller than the iPhone X Plus. Based on Mac Otakara’s schematics, it’s also a fairly thick device at about 8mm.
All in all, the device is about what you’d expect. Beyond the unique form factor, it retains the same relative hardware design as its stablemates — though, of course, without an OLED display.
2018 iPhone Lineup
Apple’s 2018 iPhone lineup is already shaping up to be pretty interesting. All three devices are rumored to sport “modern iPhone” features like an edge-to-edge display design, Face ID, gesture-based controls and a sensor cutout.
While the iPhone X successor and the iPhone X Plus will pack OLED displays, the 6.1-inch mid-range iPhone will retain an LCD display to cut down on costs. All three iPhones could also sport wireless charging, though the feature isn’t confirmed for the lower-cost model.
As far as their internals, we expect them to be roughly about the same. Although Apple could tweak the mid-range 6.1-inch device to cut costs, such as foregoing 3D Touch or using slightly different hardware.
The 2018 iPhone lineup is likely to debut at Apple’s annual fall keynote, which usually takes place in September.
[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.]