Rumor: wireless charging, waterproof bodies, 3D sensing modules coming to at least some ‘iPhone 8’ models

Taiwan-based Wistron, original equipment manufacturer and iPhone assembler, has confirmed that at least one of Apple’s next-generation iPhone models will be “waterproof” and include wireless charging capabilities, according to the Japanese website Nikkei Asian Review. Somehow I don’t think the gang at Apple are going to be pleased about this leak.

“Assembly process for the previous generations of [iPhones] have not changed much, though new features like waterproof and wireless charging now require some different testing, and waterproof function will alter the assembly process a bit,” [Robert] Hwang, [Wistron CEO], told reporters after the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting on Wednesday, says Nikkei Asian Review.

The publication also says that Largan Precision, an iPhone camera lens provider, confirmed it would ship lenses for 3D sensing modules in the second half of this year. The sensors enable facial and iris recognition.

“We will have lenses for 3D sensing [module used in smartphone] ready to ship in the second half this year,” CEO Adam Lin said in a press conference after the company’s annual general meeting.

He didn’t specify that the lens for 3D sensing modules were ordered by Apple. However, Jeff Pu, an analyst at Yuanta Investment Consulting, said that the U.S. company would be the only one in the world that would release smartphones — the “iPhone 8” (shown in a fanciful BGR.com mockup) with the advanced feature this year.