Just as Apple's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus hit store shelves, details regarding the company's 2017 iPhones are leaking. The new iPhone will reportedly be named iPhone 8, include a complete redesign and gain wireless charging capabilities.
When Samsung officially took the wraps off of the Galaxy Note 7 in August, the company scored high praise from the tech community, which many proclaimed was not only the best smartphone to ever be released by Samsung, but was also the best handset on the market. They also weighed in with predictions that the new Note 7 would easily topple its main competitor, Apple's iPhone 7 Plus, due in part to the new iPhone using essentially the same design as that of its predecessor.
Consumers seemed to agree with the tech community and sales of the Galaxy Note 7 were higher than Samsung had anticipated and the company was forced to delay certain color options in order to catch up. Then the unthinkable happened, customers began reporting that in some cases the device exploded or caught fire. The defect was found to be with the batteries that power the handset and has led to a total recall of the Galaxy Note 7.
Meanwhile, early sales of Apple's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have shattered records at Sprint and T-Mobile and the larger iPhone is surely benefitting from Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 absence. Rumors claim that Samsung is planning to push up the release of its next-gen flagship Galaxy S8 because of the Note 7 fiasco.
There has been debate on whether Apple will use its current naming convention and release an iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus next year or use the same move Samsung used this year by skipping the Galaxy Note 6 name for Galaxy Note 7. Many believe that Apple will call next year's iPhones, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, because the pair will reportedly feature a completely redesigned glass and metal case, and billed as Apple's 10th anniversary iPhone.
Like the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and Galaxy Note 7, Apple's iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus will reportedly feature similar dual-edge curved OLED displays. Another feature the pair will gain that has already been offered by Samsung for years, is wireless charging capabilities.
According to a new report, Apple is said to be working with Energous, a company that creates wireless charging technology to allow devices to charge without having to place the device on a charging mat like most current smartphones require. Instead, the technology uses a transmitter and receiver that allows the device to charge within 15 feet from a transmitter.
A letter from Energous to its investors lists its certifications, which include Underwriters Laboratory and FCC approval, as well as "Apple compliance testing." It's believed that Apple is testing the technology and will likely add the feature to next year's iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.
As always, it's best to take next-gen iPhone rumors with a grain of salt, especially this early in what is expected to be a big build up to iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus leaks.
