A recent report from renowned Apple specialist and analyst Ming Chi Kuo from KGI Securities projects the current iPhone 6 design might be overhauled in the next generation phone, and be replaced with a 5.8” curved glass casing AMOLED display phone, reported MacRumors.
According to the MacRumors report the iPhone 7 would adopt a structural design similar to that of iPhone 4/4S, where glass will be equipped on the front and back sides, while a metal frame encases the edges. The difference would be the new model would have a curved screen, glass casing, and 5.8-inch AMOLED display.
Kuo’s predicted new features in the upcoming phone in 2017, included wireless charging, added biometric recognition features including facial or iris.
Depending on AMOLED display supplies, Apple might launch a 4.7-inch LCD-based iPhone paired with a new 5.8-inch AMOLED iPhone. That is if supplies are sufficient.
Under another scenario where OLED display production are unable to meet large-screen demands, Kuo might launch 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch LCD iPhones with the AMOLED 5.8-inch phone as a high-end smartphone option.
If the upcoming phone swaps the designs it would depart from Apple’s usual pattern of keeping the same general body style before making major changes, the MacRumor report added.
This report reverses an earlier prediction Kuo made in November 2015, where he projected Apple’s OLED phone would not emerge till 2019, since OLED panel suppliers have been unable to ramp up production to meet the annual demands of selling millions of smartphones, noted Appleinsider.
The analysts changed outlook is largely based on Apple’s decision to use more innovative material in its devices to set it apart from competition, in which Apple might choose glass for its case design since it is easy to mold and can be made thin-and-light form factor designs. Other options include plastic and ceramic.