Two Major iPhone 8 Leaks Reveal Groundbreaking New Features

By Amit Chowdhry for Forbes Magazine.

Apple is expected to release the “iPhone 8” in September 2017 with a major redesign. Some of the highlights include an edge-to-edge OLED display with the front-facing camera and Home button — including the Touch ID fingerprint sensor — integrated into the screen itself. The iPhone 8 is also reportedly going to have a glass body rather than the same aluminum housing we have seen in the last few generations of iPhones. Recently a couple more leaks surfaced that revealed Apple has a few more tricks up its sleeve to make the iPhone 8 stand out from the competition.

Dual Optical Image Stabilization

MacRumors obtained a research note by Ming-Chi Kuo, a reputable analyst at KGI Securities, that says he believes the new dual-camera iPhone models will have dual optical image stabilization (OIS). Earlier this month, Kuo also reported that the iPhone 8 will come in three models: one curved 5.8-inch OLED model and two TFT-LCD models. One TFT-LCD model will be a 4.7-inch and the other will be a 5.5-inch. According to Kuo, the OLED model and the larger TFT-LCD model will have the dual cameras and dual optical image stabilization. But the 4.7-inch TFT-LCD model likely will not have dual optical image stabilization.

The newly released iPhone 7 Plus has two new camera systems. One camera system uses the same 12-megapixel wide-angle camera on the iPhone 7. And there is a 12-megapixel telephoto camera system that enables a higher-quality zoom from farther away. The wide-angle lens on the iPhone 7 Plus supports optical image stabilization, but the telephoto camera system does not.

Apple is reportedly revamping the telephoto lens that is being used for the optical zoom emulation capabilities, which should be ready in time for the iPhone 8 release. And Apple supplier Largan Precision is expected to be the exclusive provider of 6P and telephoto lenses for the new iPhones. “We believe Apple will add OIS function to the telephoto CCM in order to enhance the selling points of next year’s new iPhone. We think photo quality and optical zoom range may both improve as a result. We expect the telephoto lens will be redesigned to support OIS in the telephoto CCM, with challenges likely coming from: (1) the need to increase the image circle of the telephoto lens, which will lead to longer calibration time and a more complex assembly processes; and (2) a redesign of the telephoto lens, as an increased image circle will result in degraded photo quality around the corners,” said Kuo in the research note via MacRumors.

Wireless Charging From A Distance

Last month, Nikkei reported that Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) was actively manufacturing wireless charging modules for the iPhone 8. Android devices have supported wireless charging for years, but Apple will be utilizing the technology in a unique way.

According to BGR, Energous is believed to be the supplier of the wireless technology being integrated into the iPhone 8. VentureBeat got wind of Energous’ involvement with Apple a couple of months ago by looking at regulatory filings citing Apple compliance testing. Energous’ WattUp technology is known for its wire-free charging “from millimeters to distances up to 15 feet.” But there is a chance that the iPhone 8 will not have wireless charging if the technology is not ready on time.

What other features are expected to be built into the iPhone 8? The iPhone 8 is will probably have an A11 Fusion processor and advanced biometric features like an iris scanner or facial recognition.

What are your thoughts about the iPhone 8 potentially supporting wireless charging from a distance and both cameras having optical image stabilization? Please leave a comment with your thoughts about the potential changes!