The iPhone 7 has been out for just a few weeks, and the rumors are starting to swirl about the next-generation phone likely to be released next September. KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is forecasting that Apple will use glass front and back panels similar to the iPhone 4/4s in the iPhone 8, mainly because demand for the new Jet Black iPhone 7 is exceeding supply due to manufacturing constraints.
The glass back would provide more scratch resistance than the existing aluminum Jet Black model, which Apple has told customers to use with a case to avoid “micro abrasions.” Using an all-glass design would also make the glossy finish available to all colors of iPhones.
All iPhones use a metal casing for durability; Kuo thinks that the new iPhone models will have either a stainless steel or aluminum casing, with higher-end phones likely to use stainless steel. Kuo has also predicted in the past that the 2017 iPhone could increase screen size to 5.8 inches diagonally by reducing or eliminating the bezel size. The existing iPhones use either 4.7-inch or 5.5-inch displays, with the iPhone SE featuring a 4-inch display.
The increased screen size would be accomplished by using an edge-to-edge OLED display Isee rendering above), possibly placing the Home button, FaceTime camera, ear speaker, and Touch ID sensor under the screen.
