14 DAY TRIAL // Recent rumors pointed to the fact that Apple’s upcoming anniversary iPhone could be named iPhone 8 or iPhone X, but a new report says that the device is actually named iPhone Edition and could launch at the end of this year.
The Edition moniker would reportedly signal the fact that the smartphone is a higher-end model, similar to Apple’s naming strategy for the Apple Watch Edition. The anniversary iPhone is expected to feature premium materials that would drive its price upwards of $1,000.
The report also mentions that Apple has started testing multiple prototypes of the iPhone 8, some featuring AMOLED displays and others LCD screens. Prototypes come with and without home buttons, meaning that Apple is keeping its options open.
Apple is only certain of the display, wireless charging and rear camera
Reportedly, Apple is only certain of the 5-inch display, wireless charging and rear camera on the upcoming iPhone Edition. The 5-inch display refers to the usable space on the screen, as the phone will actually have an edge-to-edge display of 5.8 inches in a 4.7-inch iPhone. 5.15 inches of the 5.8-inch screen will be usable and the difference might be used for virtual buttons.
Wireless charging and a dual-camera setup on the back will surely come to the new phone, according to the report. Apple continues to test materials for iPhone Edition, including glass, aluminum and white ceramic chassis.
This new report shows that Apple has only pinned down a few features of the new anniversary phone and is still testing multiple variants. The Cupertino company is expected to announce a 4.7-inch iPhone 7s and a 5.5-inch iPhone 7s Plus in September, but the iPhone Edition may launch well after that, according to the report. Presumably, the phone would launch sometime in November, so that consumers could grab the new iPhone Edition during the holiday season.