All Three New 2017 iPhones To Feature Wireless Charging, Says Analyst (macrumors.com)

In late October, Nikkei Asian Review released a report claiming Foxconn was testing wireless charging modules for the iPhone 8. Another report has surfaced recently that further reinforces those claims. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo now claims that all three new iPhones expected to launch later this year will feature wireless charging. MacRumors reports: Kuo said wireless charging increases the internal temperature of smartphones, so he expects the rumored iPhone 8 with an OLED display and glass casing to have a new 3D Touch module with "additional graphite sheet lamination" in order to prevent the device from malfunctioning due to overheating. An excerpt from Kuo's research note obtained by MacRumors: "While we don't expect general users to notice any difference, lamination of an additional graphite sheet is needed for better thermal control and, thus, steady operation; this is because FPCB is replaced with film, which is more sensitive to temperature change of the 3D touch sensor in OLED iPhone." The new 3D Touch module could be up to $5 more expensive for Apple to procure per phone. While that is a minimal increase, it lends further credence to a report claiming the high-end iPhone 8 could cost upwards of $1,000 in the United States due to a significant redesign and the use of premium parts.

Comments

Re:Apple just does it right

[mmell]

My wife's Samsung has had wireless charging for a couple years now. So has my Nexus 5. Several other Android phones as well.

Apple's not even "in the money" on this one - just an "also ran". By the way - how's that custom audio jack working out for you?

Re:Apple just does it right

[Dutch Gun]

By the way - how's that custom audio jack working out for you?

It doesn't bother me at all. Some whiners complain about not being able to charge the phone and listen to music at the same time. Hell, I'm rocking my tunes and posting this from my new iPhone as we speak. I don't see what the b

Finally an iPhone that is better a Google phone.

[ukoda]

The Nexus 4 had QI wireless charging a few years ago but the Nexus 6 was the last Google phone to have it. I have refused to buy a Nexus 6P or Pixel due to the lack of wireless charging. If Apple introduces wireless charging they will, for the first time, be making a phone that I consider technically better than Google's offering. It would not be enough to get me to change to closed Apple eco system but may sway others.

I note the linked articles make no indication of what wireless standard they will use. Given that QI is used by almost everyone I would hope that is the standard they will follow, but Apple, being Apple, will probably see the need to introduce a new incompatible standard. I hope I am wrong about that,

Re:Apple just does it right

[ArmoredDragon]

It doesn't bother me at all. Some whiners complain about not being able to charge the phone and listen to music at the same time. Hell, I'm rocking my tunes and posting this from my new iPhone as we speak. I don't see what the b

Yeah, I feel your pain. I have to use an iphone for work, and I really hate where they put the "send" button so that it's easy to accidentally send emails and other messages when you haven't finished writing them yet.

Thankfully, we're looking at adopting a BYOD program and I'll be able to use my Nexus 6P.

2 questions

[Opportunist]

First, who wants that? Wireless charging is actually incredibly inconvenient under most circumstances. First, you can't use the phone sensibly while it's charging. Yes, you can pick up the phone and interrupt the charging to use it, but that does just that: It interrupts the charging process and drains the battery, increasing the time considerably that the phone spends on the charger, which is already longer than it would remain plugged in in the first place. Then, taking that charger with you to use it, e.g. at work or at a friend's place, is inconvenient to say the least. With the standardization of power adapters in phones today (ok, not with Apple, I know, but with pretty much any other phone), I don't even have to take my charger with me at all, it's near impossible that there isn't one where I am going to go. I would not count on that with this charging system.

And second question, does that mean Apple now plans to get rid of the power (plus whatever else) socket, too? Because then the aforementioned problem would sure be more than just a nuisance which could be avoided by simply using a normal data/power cord to charge them.

Re:2 questions

[unixisc]

This point exactly. I get a pretty good life out of my iPhone 7, and usually just charge it overnight. During the day, if I'm not using it, I leave it charged. If I need to use it, I just unplug it normally and plug it back when done. In the car, if for any reason I needed to use it, I'd keep it plugged in charged. While I could use it as an iPad, I don't. Nor do I use it to navigate - I have my car GPS. I use this phone mainly for FaceTime/WhatsApp

Your second point is an interesting one. As it is, Apple is trying to standardize on USB Type C, so dropping the charging port would enable them to stop supporting the Lightning connector standard as well. If you want a headphone, they'll suggest the earbuds, and if you want to charge, then the wireless charge. So no reason to have that, and that makes it easier for you to dive into the pool w/ your phone and continue that conversation w/ your girlfriend (I'll ignore that you're on /.)

One thing: even for Apple, you can use a standard power adaptor: just carry your micro-USB to lightning adaptor w/ you whenever you go, and have it handy, if charging is something you need to do frequently.

Having said all that though, reading this story, my iPhone 7 is probably my last phone - until it drops dead. It had one thing that my old 5s doesn't - Apple Pay, and it also had one thing when I first got it that nothing else at the time had - FaceTime. Today, WhatsApp has video calling as well, so I don't have a compelling need for an iPhone, aside from Apple Pay

Re: Apple just does it right

[Cmdln Daco]

Then I can charge the bluetooth headphones while charging the Apple Phone while listening to music. Who woulda guessed life could be so grand!?!

Seriously??

[JustAnotherOldGuy]

"...the high-end iPhone 8 could cost upwards of $1,000"

A thousand bucks for a phone? Ha ha ha ha ha ha...no. I'm not gonna spend that much on a phone even if it comes with a blowjob attachment.

Also, won't this graphite sheet add ~0.00001mm of thickness to the phone? How will Apple users ever manage to put up with this outrageous increase in thickness? Won't someone please think of the Apple users?

Re:Finally an iPhone that is better a Google phone

[kqs]

I note the linked articles make no indication of what wireless standard they will use. Given that QI is used by almost everyone I would hope that is the standard they will follow, but Apple, being Apple, will probably see the need to introduce a new incompatible standard. I hope I am wrong about that,

I've owned a number of Qi devices, and while I love wireless charging, Qi is too limited. Too slow, placement is too precise, distance is too small (even a thin case slowed charging). I'm using a USB-c Nexus now; less convenient but fast charging and a plug which doesn't just piss you off.

I really hope that Apple goes with a far better charging system, something that gives you at least a few inches distance (better would be a few feet, maybe with beamforming?) and speed to match USB-c charging. If so, then other phones will get that too within a year and I'll be much happier.

"get bluetooth" not a valid response

[globaljustin]

Get some Bluetooth headphones Grandpa.

ugh this is annoying...

"get bluetooth" isn't a valid fix for several reasons

first, Apple didn't just remove a headphone jack, they removed a *universally compatible data port* that allowed for simultaneous, cheap, adaptable charging and using the jack for headphones or for an accessory like a Square card reader. Simultaneously.

removing functionality like that is exactly like if Ford removed all the doors on the right side of their cars...it's perfectly analogous in how it cripples the user

2nd, bluetooth runs out of batteries

3rd, just because *you* and your particular use case have your needs met with bluetooth headphones and one jack doesn't mean that it's a good design for all users, from the perspective of designing a system for users.