Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

What is your favorite iPhone design?

  • iPhone |Original|

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • iPhone 3G / 3GS |Series 2|

    Votes: 13 7.0%
  • iPhone 4 / 4S |Series 2|

    Votes: 62 33.2%
  • iPhone 5 / 5S |Series 2| / SE |Series 3|

    Votes: 57 30.5%
  • iPhone 5C

    Votes: 1 0.5%
  • iPhone 6 / 6S |Series 2| / 7 |Series 3|

    Votes: 12 6.4%
  • iPhone 6+ / 6S+ |Series 2| / 7+ |Series 3|

    Votes: 36 19.3%
  • None of the above

    Votes: 3 1.6%

  • Total voters
    187

smacrumon

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jan 15, 2016
2,683
4,011
Apple will introduce an all-new iPhone design in 2017
The next iPhone in 2017 will have a great new but familiar design language. So what could be in store in design for the next major model?
  • An all-new device made from ceramic glass
  • Available in 4-inch, 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch
  • 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage
  • 4GB memory keeping apps and web page tabs persistent
  • Single flat glass front and a single uni ceramic curved glass back
  • Vastly reduced bezels not too dissimilar to Apple Watch Series 2
  • Six colours; black, white, silver, gold, rose gold and deep ocean blue.
  • Dual cameras flush and no longer protruding
  • Antenna bands will run hidden inside the ceramic glass
  • Waterproof for snorkelling and other fun activities
  • All screen home button and 3D touch incorporated into the entire front glass
  • Volume control button will be combined into a single ringer/silent switch
  • Lightning free charging
  • Announcement May/June 2017, pre orders July 2017, available August/September 2017

—————————————————————————

Apple has used ceramic in previous and current products

iPhone 2017 will use a similar ceramic material to the one in the Apple Watch Edition. Ceramic glass is a relatively inexpensive material used in many products today and can be presented in a variety of colors. In fact, ceramic is used in parts of the white iPhone 4/4S and 5/5S/SE models.


“Sleek, light and extremely durable, ceramic is more than four times as hard as stainless steel — with a pearly, lustrous finish that won’t scratch or tarnish”

phpryiy63.jpg


—————————————————————————

Revealing Apple Patent Covers Ceramic Apple Watch and All-New Ceramic iPhone

"Today, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that revealed aspects of the new 'stunning ceramic' Apple Watch Edition, but more importantly perhaps, a future ceramic two-part iPhone housing that could advance Apple's true waterproof design."


8 September 2016


6a0120a5580826970c01bb093469de970d-800wi
 
Last edited:

Nozuka

macrumors 68040
Jul 3, 2012
3,527
5,996
Wouldn't be surprised if they made this a 5.5'' device only and release a 7S for the 4.7'' variant...
 

NT1440

macrumors G5
May 18, 2008
14,478
20,415
It's important to note that the mythical LiquidMetal that Apple has been working on manufacturing for years is considered a ceramic-type material. I'm waiting for an analysis of the ceramic composition of the watch to see if this is their manufacturing R&D buildup for the 8 (learning how to form, shape, finish the notorious difficult to work with material at an industrial scale).
 

Menel

Suspended
Aug 4, 2011
6,351
1,356
Not much has changed on that front though. iPhone always is expensive.
[doublepost=1473426232][/doublepost]
Oh no, more fragmentation!
We're up to what now? 9 screen sizes and counting for iOS apps? No biggie.
 

smacrumon

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jan 15, 2016
2,683
4,011
It's important to note that the mythical LiquidMetal that Apple has been working on manufacturing for years is considered a ceramic-type material. I'm waiting for an analysis of the ceramic composition of the watch to see if this is their manufacturing R&D buildup for the 8 (learning how to form, shape, finish the notorious difficult to work with material at an industrial scale).
Not a true analysis, but maybe some hints from the marketing on the Apple website:
"... The process of creating the Apple Watch Edition case begins with a high-strength zirconia powder that’s combined with alumina to achieve its rich, white color. ..."
 

smacrumon

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jan 15, 2016
2,683
4,011
iPhone has got to a price point I am no longer happy with paying for. But the AUP has made it more reasonable as I will be upgrading every year and not paying the full amount.
Apple is pushing those price points to the limits! No more Apple Watches in gold this time though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MathersMahmood

MathersMahmood

macrumors 65816
Sep 5, 2016
1,112
2,437
England
Apple is pushing those price points to the limits! No more Apple Watches in Gold this time though.

Apple probably thought. What!? We charged £13,500 for an Apple Watch and no one queued up for it? Looks like we didn't get away with those prices.

The iPhone should be the same price every year now. Or go lower. Any higher they will lose me. So glad the upgrade program is here now. I kid hope I get a reservation soon.
 
  • Like
Reactions: smacrumon

Ed Rooney

macrumors newbie
Aug 31, 2016
3
2
I agree that ceramic will be the new phone material, and thought so as soon as I saw the new Apple Watch. Ceramic has been used in the watch world for several years, primarily with Chanel using it for entire dive watches, and Rolex using it to replace the aluminum bezels on GMT-Masters, Subs, and Daytonas. It looks great and doesn't scratch easily, but it is terrible on impact. Dropping a Rolex can cost $800 for a bezel replacement, whereas the old aluminum bezels were under $50.

Ceramic will resolve the bendgate issue and will polish up like glass without little hairline scratches and swirlies marring the surface.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nawoo and smacrumon

mtcowdog

macrumors regular
Jul 17, 2010
239
176
If they do go with a ceramic design, I wonder if will be only for a more expensive anniversary edition?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vanilla35

TheRealAlex

macrumors 68030
Sep 2, 2015
2,858
2,015
5.5 Inch with OLED Display at 1440p and it will be Called the iPhone Pro 4GB RAM A11 CPU 128GB and it will cost $899+
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vanilla35

eoren1

macrumors 6502
Aug 17, 2007
430
49
Apple will introduce an all-new iPhone design in 2017
The next iPhone in 2017 will have a great new but familiar design language. So what could be in store in design for the next major model?
  • An all-new device made from ceramic glass
  • Available in 4-inch, 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch
  • 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage
  • 4GB memory keeping apps and web page tabs persistent
  • Single flat glass front and a single uni ceramic curved glass back
  • Vastly reduced bezels not too dissimilar to Apple Watch Series 2
  • Six colours; black, white, silver, gold, rose gold and deep ocean blue.
  • Dual cameras flush and no longer protruding
  • Antenna bands will run hidden inside the ceramic glass
  • Waterproof for snorkelling and other fun activities
  • All screen home button and 3D touch incorporated into the entire front glass
  • Volume control button will be combined into a single ringer/silent switch
  • Lightning free charging

Funny, I just emailed a good friend similar thoughts. IMHO, the iPhone 7 was a 'sacrificial lamb' - Apple didn't have to remove the headphone jack or alter the home button yet but did both to pave the way for the next iPhone design which does need both.

The new iPhone (simply called iPhone from now on - they can't/won't call it iPhone 8 - but come in SE, reg and Plus variety) will have a solid glass front using OLED display. Bevel-free. Area for TouchID will illuminate with ring when needed (unlocking phone, payments) but otherwise be a part of display.

I think ceramic back will be a premium upgrade unless Apple can get costs way down.

Disagree about 128 base - Apple took forever to move up from 16 so will keep it at 32/128/256

Will be splash proof; not snorkel proof

3 gigs RAM will be plenty.

They might do a subtle curve (concave) display for the premium Plus like the early OLED TVs had...
 

0007776

Suspended
Jul 11, 2006
6,473
8,170
Somewhere
That would be great if they include the air pods instead of lightning headphones. And improve their battery life. Hopefully wireless charging to so we can just get rid of all the ports.
 
  • Like
Reactions: smacrumon

Shockwave78

macrumors 65816
Jul 10, 2010
1,082
60
It's important to note that the mythical LiquidMetal that Apple has been working on manufacturing for years is considered a ceramic-type material. I'm waiting for an analysis of the ceramic composition of the watch to see if this is their manufacturing R&D buildup for the 8 (learning how to form, shape, finish the notorious difficult to work with material at an industrial scale).


Interesting, always knew about apples liquid metal buyout but always thought it was actually metal. If it is actually ceramic then yes I would agree the next big iPhone design will be made of it, especially since they are now testing it out on the Apple Watch first.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ghost31

Armen

macrumors 604
Apr 30, 2013
7,405
2,274
Los Angeles
Apple will introduce an all-new iPhone design in 2017
The next iPhone in 2017 will have a great new but familiar design language. So what could be in store in design for the next major model?
  • An all-new device made from ceramic glass
  • Available in 4-inch, 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch
  • 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage
  • 4GB memory keeping apps and web page tabs persistent
  • Single flat glass front and a single uni ceramic curved glass back
  • Vastly reduced bezels not too dissimilar to Apple Watch Series 2
  • Six colours; black, white, silver, gold, rose gold and deep ocean blue.
  • Dual cameras flush and no longer protruding
  • Antenna bands will run hidden inside the ceramic glass
  • Waterproof for snorkelling and other fun activities
  • All screen home button and 3D touch incorporated into the entire front glass
  • Volume control button will be combined into a single ringer/silent switch
  • Lightning free charging

—————————————————————————

Apple has used ceramic in previous and current products

iPhone 2017 will use a similar ceramic material to the one in the Apple Watch Edition. Ceramic glass is a relatively inexpensive material used in many products today and can be presented in a variety of colors. In fact, ceramic is used in parts of the white iPhone 4/4S and 5/5S/SE models.


“Sleek, light and extremely durable, ceramic is more than four times as hard as stainless steel — with a pearly, lustrous finish that won’t scratch or tarnish”

phpryiy63.jpg


—————————————————————————

Revealing Apple Patent Covers Ceramic Apple Watch and All-New Ceramic iPhone

"Today, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that revealed aspects of the new 'stunning ceramic' Apple Watch Edition, but more importantly perhaps, a future ceramic two-part iPhone housing that could advance Apple's true waterproof design."

8 September 2016


6a0120a5580826970c01bb093469de970d-800wi

Some of the listed features I don't see happening:

-Flush Camera: I think the only way the camera can be flush in the new model is if 1) Apple makes the iPhone thicker or 2) camera tech shrinks. It's not like Apple to go thicker and I can't see camera tech shrinking in a year (its possible). Also optical zoom needs space for movement in the housing doesn't it?

Apple has to maintain it's profit margins. I do not think they are going to give us base storage of 128GB and 4GB of RAM without at least a $100.00 price hike unless the cost of the ceramic casing is much lower than aluminum.

Many people are expecting a magical iPhone in 2017. I jus don't see Apple "giving away" all these new features in 1 model even if it is a 10 year anniversary iPhone. Apple is the type of company to sell you 5 features in 5 different iPhones rather than pack all of the features into 1.

we'll see I guess...I'm hoping I'm wrong but Tim Cook runs a tight ship.
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.