Will the next all-new iPhone in 2017 will be made from ceramic?

[smacrumon]

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”​

—————————————————————————
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​

http://www.patentlyapple.com/patent...c-apple-watch-and-all-new-ceramic-iphone.html​

 

[CodeSpyder]

It's going to be expensive.

 

[Nozuka]

Wouldn't be surprised if they made this a 5.5'' device only and release a 7S for the 4.7'' variant...

 

[smacrumon]

It's going to be expensive.

Not much has changed on that front though. iPhone always is expensive.
[doublepost=1473426232][/doublepost]

Wouldn't be surprised if they made this a 5.5'' device only and release a 7S for the 4.7'' variant...

Oh no, more fragmentation!

 

[NT1440]

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]

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]

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. ..."

 

[MathersMahmood]

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.

 

[smacrumon]

We're up to what now? 9 screen sizes and counting for iOS apps? No biggie.

iOS7 x iOS8 x iOS9 x iOS10 x 3.5-inch x 4-inch x 4.7-inch x 5.5-inch ... !

 

[Speechless]

Can't wait

 

[Menel]

iOS7 x iOS8 x iOS9 x iOS10 x 3.5-inch x 4-inch x 4.7-inch x 5.5-inch ... !

I was more thinking...
38mm, 42mm, (I think 3.5in is gone), 4", 4.7", 5.5", 7.9", 9.7", 12.9", and 1080P format for tvOS. 9 if I count right.

 

[smacrumon]

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.

 

[MathersMahmood]

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.

 

[Ed Rooney]

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.

 

[mtcowdog]

If they do go with a ceramic design, I wonder if will be only for a more expensive anniversary edition?

 

[TheRealAlex]

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+

 

[eoren1]

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]

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.

 

[Jimmy James]

Ceramic. Smashgate.

 

[Shockwave78]

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.

 

[0007776]

Ceramic. Smashgate.

I doubt it would be any worse than the glass on the 4.

 

[hank moody]

it will be ceramic or liquid metal

 

[Armen]

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”​

—————————————————————————
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​

http://www.patentlyapple.com/patent...c-apple-watch-and-all-new-ceramic-iphone.html​

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.

 

[Hexiii]

While ceramic is harder than stainless steel, it's going to shatter like crazy...

 

[ucfgrad93]

I have two favorite designs: the original iPhone and the iPhone 4/4s.