When is the iPhone 8 coming out? Release date, features, price, rumours and ‘leaked photos’

Apple's next offering is expected to boast some incredible new tech, such as wireless charging and waterproofing apparently confirmed by Robert Hwang, CEO of iPhone assembler Wiston

IT’S set to be a big year for Apple fans, because this year marks the 10th anniversary of the first iPhone.

Rumours are still swirling over new features like a 3D camera, infinity screen to rival the Samsung S8, and free AirPods for every buyer.

The tech world is already lighting up with gossip about the upcoming iPhone 8

How much will the iPhone 8 cost?

Rumours suggest that the new smartphone could be a lot more affordable than you think.

Steven Milunovich, an analyst from global financial services giant UBS, claims that Apple’s prices are expected to stay around the same price as the iPhone 7.

He said the flagship iPhone 8 will start from $850, which is around £682.

Is this how the iPhone 8 will look? The alleged new design shows that the menu bar is nowhere to be seen

Milunovich wrote in a report seen by Mac Rumours: “Contrary to some perceptions, Apple prices quite competitively.

“Apple likes to position its entry-level products at the mid-market with ‘Pro/Plus’ products close to competitors at the high end.”

But other experts have predicted that buying an iPhone 8 in the UK could set you back more than £850.

This is because the 10th-anniversary smartphone will reportedly have 256GB of storage, augmented reality technologies, 3D sensors and high-quality OLED display, according to the Daily Mail.

When will the iPhone 8 be released?

Apple had been expected to release the iPhone 8 in September 2017, in keeping with its annual autumn launch of major new products.

In 2016 the iPhone 7 was launched on 16 September, so a similar mid-September date seemed most likely – although one analyst has claimed it could be unveiled at the company’s Worldwide Developers’ Conference on June 5.
Nothing has been confirmed, but Apple tends to stick to the same schedule every year. The iPhone 5, 5S, 6, 6S and 7 were all launched in September of consecutive years.

However, according to the Economic Daily News technical problems mean it could be delayed by weeks due to “technical issues” with the hotly anticipated curved screen and 3D camera.

Other rumours have suggested that delays in the handset’s new fingerprint sensor mean its release could be delayed until October at the earliest.

And some analysts believe that there won’t be a new Apple iPhone launch until 2018.

Have photos been leaked of the new iPhone 8?

Apple fans went into meltdown when “new pictures” of the iPhone design were leaked online.

But it’s been claimed the latest pictures claiming to be the iPhone 8 show a previous mock-up released just weeks ago.

Technology website BGR claimed to reveal “the world’s first look at Apple’s final iPhone 8 design in real life”.

It was later claimed the images were the work of a graphic designer Benjamin Geskin, who claimed to have been handed pictures from Apple manufacturer Foxconn, which showed what the iPhone might look.

https://twitter.com/SuperSaf/status/864922532461375488/photo/1

What will the iPhone 8 come with?

Analysts from JP Morgan have reportedly said the iPhone 8 will come with a free pair of Airpods, Apple’s cool wireless headphones.

In a briefing note seen by Apple Insider, experts suggested the Airpods would come as a free bonus.

However, the claim is unverified and has been described as “unlikely” because of the £159 cost of the wireless earphones and the huge demand which means iFans have to wait up to six weeks to buy a pair from the Apple Store.

The AirPods allow you to speak on phone calls as well as listen to music

What new features will the iPhone 8 have?

Facial recognition

Apple is rumoured to be planning to blast its biggest fans with LASER BEAMS when they buy the next iPhone 8.

But whilst this sound scary, the James Bond-esque technology may actually allow them to open up their mobile phone using their face.

An unconfirmed Apple rumour has suggested the upcoming device will use a laser to scan users’ features.

This could allow them to use their own lovely face to access the gadget, rather than having to scan a fingerprint or enter a password.

“Features appear to include some form of facial/gesture recognition supported by a new laser sensor and an infrared sensor mounted near the front-facing camera and, as expected, should also finally include wireless charging,” wrote Apple analyst Timothy Arcuri, according to Business Insider.

Screen and camera

The iPhone 8 is rumoured to have a stunning edge-to-edge OLED display taking up the length and breadth of the device.

It could also feature an all-glass design, according to a recently filed patent.

The patent awarded to Apple describes a device with a display that “may occupy the entire front face”.

The screen will have the Home Button — complete with super-sensitive Touch ID technology — and its front-facing camera built in, according to leaked reports from Apple’s Cupertino HQ.

It is even thought the screen could be curved, just like the latest high-tech TVs.

However, recent iGossip suggests that this prediction could be WRONG – and the cutting-edge OLED display could be held back until Apple releases an experimental version of the phone in 2018.

Depending on the model (iPhone 8 is expected to come in three versions, see below) there will also be improved Optical Image Stabilisation technology.

It has been rumoured that a 3D camera, which allows users to scan a 3D version of themselves into the phone, could be included in this version.

Rumours are the iPhone 8 (artist’s impression) could be full-screen and feature wireless charging technology
It will allow for even clearer ultra-HD photographs using two cameras: a 12 megapixel wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens.

This OIS technology already features on the iPhone 7 Plus’s wide-angle lens, but NOT the telephoto lens.

The telephoto lens is expected to be improved in time for the iPhone 8 launch, meaning even pictures taken from far away will be clearer and more stabilised.

It has also been reported that Apple is working with LG on a camera for the iPhone 8 that would allow 3D photographs.

It is unclear exactly how these could be put to use – however, a tech industry expert suggested a “revolutionary” front-facing camera could use infared technology to take 3D selfies.

These cutting edge photos could then be used to create video game characters that accurately resemble the players themselves.

Light-emitting diode (OLED) panels

Apple placed orders for bendable organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels – the kind you find on Samsung phones – to use in 70 million smartphones, according to sources speaking to Nikkei Asian Review.

OLED screens are typically used in fancy smart TVs because they offer high colour and motion quality (making it perfect for watching Netflix) without munching too much power.

Wireless charging

Taiwanese tech manufacturer Foxconn is making wireless charging modules for the iPhone 8, according to reports.

It means the iPhone 8 will reportedly be able to be charged from 15 FEET away.

It will use a built-in wireless receiver to receive power from a transmitter plugged into a socket.

A company called Energous is said to be supplying the technology it called ‘WattUp’.

The firm has previously boasted WattUp technology can allow devices to be charged from the impressive distance.

Robert Hwang, CEO of iPhone assembler Wiston has apparently confirmed the rumour surrounding wireless charging.

Forbes reported that while speaking to reporters at the company’s annual shareholders’ meet this week he let slip that:

“The 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”.