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

[TheRealAlex]

2017 iPhone 10th Anniversary Edition (just like the Jet Black Premium there will be a Ceramic edition Premium not offered in a all sizes)

iPhone 7s
iPhone 7s Plus
iPhone Pro 10th Anniversary Edition (with a Ceramic Premium Edition) But all will have

No Home Button
1440p OLED Display
3 or 4 GB RAM
5.7 Inches to match the 1440p OLED Displays they just paid Samsung for
its the same Display only Applized thats on the Note 5 and 7

I don't think Apple will change the body of the 7s and 7s Plus much because they need to sell all the cases and Accesories design for them

 

[smacrumon]

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.

Just on the non-protruding flush camera: So at the moment the 6/6s 6+/6s+ camera protrudes about 0.67mm - 0.77mm (or about 3/4 of one millimetre). But, the visual impact of the protrusion makes it appear worse. I'm convinced that the iPhone might grow in depth by about 0.5mm and the whole camera assembly could be reduced by about 0.25mm give or take some mm. I see that as being entirely possible. It's possible that the upgrade to performance in iPhone 7 might mean a lesser focus on that aspect in the next version.
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If they do go with a ceramic design, I wonder if will be only for a more expensive anniversary edition?

I don't think this will be an anniversary edition of iPhone that is more expensive, but ceramic will be the new standard across the board for iPhone in the anniversary year, if that makes sense.
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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...

On the name, "simply called iPhone", I wonder if they might go even further calling it just Phone, adding "Apple" and dropping the "i". My understanding is that iPhone 4/4s white model is actually a ceramic back and front bezel.

 

[1984]

I suspect we will see a 7s and 7s Plus along with an iPhone Edition at a much higher price. Although it will be announced for the 10th anniversary I don't see that being part of its name. Apple has not shown much (if any) interest in hardware anniversaries in a long, long time.

 

[nooaah]

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

...by the same manufacturer on the same operating system getting simultaneous updates.

 

[TypeMRT]

Looks like Apple used the Space Black Stainless Steel Watch to build two years of manufacturing experience that translated to the Jet Black iPhone. It's easy to assume that they're doing the same with the ceramic Watch for a ceramic iPhone next year. It would be funny to see Aluminum dropped down to the entry-level iPhone when it's been seen by Apple as the premium material for over a decade.

 

[off_piste]

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

And should you manage to scratch it there's no polishing it like SS.

 

[Retired Cat]

Ceramic makes me think: heavy and brittle. No thanks.

Unapologetically Plastic is the way to go for phones.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

More likely to be liquidmetal than ceramic.

 

[rawlus]

What kind of full coverage armored cases will be available for the ceramic phones? So I can keep it pristine e for resale? /sarcasm

 

[MICHAELSD]

Lightning-free charging?! They just encouraged headphone manufacturers to make Lightning headphones that would go completely obsolete if they get rid of the Lightning port. But I like the concept.

 

[off_piste]

Ceramic makes me think: heavy and brittle. No thanks.

Unapologetically Plastic is the way to go for phones.

You need to read up on engineered ceramics then. Lighter than stainless steel and titanium. About on par with aluminum with some even lighter. All while being stronger and more durable.

 

[Steve686]

Cool. This way we can expect any preorder completed more than 1 minute 38 seconds after launch will have to wait 3-4 weeks for delivery since ceramic is a much more specialized material.

And we can pay $1969 for the 512gb premium version.

 

[0388631]

Woven metal fiber reinforced glass matrix (ceramic glass) would be my best guest. It increases the strength of ceramic glass without causing much issues in terms of weight or looks. It should also solve the problem of heat a user would feel if they were playing a process intensive game.
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You need to read up on engineered ceramics then. Lighter than stainless steel and titanium. About on par with aluminum with some even lighter. All while being stronger and more durable.

I think the confusion here is that people see the word "ceramic" and presume it's the same stuff in their cupboards.

 

[Steve686]

Woven metal fiber reinforced glass matrix (ceramic glass) would be my best guest. It increases the strength of ceramic glass without causing much issues in terms of weight or looks. It should also solve the problem of heat a user would feel if they were playing a process intensive game.
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I think the confusion here is that people see the word "ceramic" and presume it's the same stuff in their cupboards.

Ceramic ballistic plates would help with a mental picture.

http://www.blackhawk.com/Products/P...istic-Ceramic-Plate-Level-IV-Stand-Alone.aspx

 

[DUIduckSAUCE]

It's going to be expensive.

$2000

 

[0388631]

Ceramic ballistic plates would help with a mental picture.

http://www.blackhawk.com/Products/P...istic-Ceramic-Plate-Level-IV-Stand-Alone.aspx

Those won't stop anything strong. You need a materials blend to stop anything stronger. Thickness of material(s) used matters, too.

 

[Steve686]

Those won't stop anything strong. You need a materials blend to stop anything stronger. Thickness of material(s) used matters, too.

1700fps, no.

Subsonic, yes.

Relaying simplicity with 'ceramic' only.

 

[bufffilm]

It's beautiful...pricey, but beautiful.

But at 5.5"...too big for me. Have to settle for the smaller size.

 

[0388631]

1700fps, no.

Subsonic, yes.

Relaying simplicity with 'ceramic' only.

Correct. There's a threshold where speed gets fuzzy in terms of materials of the round and the vest composite material.

If there's any truth to Apple doing this, it's going to be a very light phone and incredibly durable compared to what they have now. Hopefully Samsung copy them.

 

[hank moody]

Any review of the new ceramic apple watch?
I am curious to see how that material supports "pain"

 

[BrodieApple]

• Volume control button will be combined into a single ringer/silent switch

What does this mean..?

• Announcement May/June 2017, pre orders July 2017, available August/September 2017

I highly doubt it will be announced this early.

 

[5105973]

What kind of full coverage armored cases will be available for the ceramic phones? So I can keep it pristine e for resale? /sarcasm

Spigen engineer Mr. Stripey is working on a moderately priced prototype already...

 

[str8spd2001]

Wow the price already jumped a lot for the watch version. If this is really true for the phone I can't even imagine what they'll want for it.

 

[MICHAELSD]

On the name, "simply called iPhone", I wonder if they might go even further calling it just Phone, adding "Apple" and dropping the "i". My understanding is that iPhone 4/4s white model is actually a ceramic back and front bezel.

No no no no no no no no no no no no no no.

The iPhone name is iconic, this would be an awful move.

 

[off_piste]

No no no no no no no no no no no no no no.

The iPhone name is iconic, this would be an awful move.

Agreed, they have to keep the iPhone branding.

However, I could see them going to simply "the iPhone" like the iMac. The model would just be the year like my mid-2011 iMac.