iPhone 8 sounds like it'll share design similarities with the iPhone 4

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus just launched, but that's not stopping the rumor mill from moving on to rumors for next year's "iPhone 8," which is expected to come with a complete redesign to celebrate the device's 10th anniversary.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a highly reliable source for Apple rumors, has released a new report (via 9to5Mac) claiming the iPhone 8 could come with a glass and metal design reminiscent of the iPhone 4 and 4S.

The back of the iPhone 8 will reportedly be made of glass to match the front. Furthermore, Kuo says high-end models could come with stainless steel frames as opposed to aluminum. Again, another throwback to the iPhone 4 and 4S, which had stainless steel frames sandwiched between its glass front and back.

Lower-end models could come with aluminum frames. Apple originally used aluminum on the first iPhone, switched to plastic for the iPhone 3G and 3GS, stainless steel for the iPhone 4 and 4S and then returned to aluminum with unibody designs for the iPhone 5 and everything after.

The iPhone 5C released in 2013 was the only iPhone post-iPhone 5 with plastic case.

The switch back to a glass back could mean any number of things such as greater durability. Though the new jet black iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have a high-gloss finish and look like glass, they're actually aluminum underneath and the finish is more prone to scratching.

Strengthened glass would be more scratch-resistant. In fact, it could look very similar to the Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge and Note7.

A glass back could also point to wireless charging — true wireless charging that works over the air and doesn't require placement on a charging pad.

It's way too early to piece get a clear picture of what's in store for the iPhone 8, but early rumors seem to suggest Apple may get rid of the iconic home button and embed the Touch ID fingerprint sensor underneath the screen.

As crazy as that sounds, it would fit in with Apple's great purge of buttons; the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus's home button isn't a clickable button, but uses the Taptic Engine to simulate the feeling of a press. Moreover, iOS 10's switch from "swipe to unlock" to "press home to unlock" could be an early hint that pressing into the screen is something we'll see in future iPhones.

But back on topic, an iPhone 8 with iPhone 4/4S looks would be sleek, wouldn't it? Oh, and don't count on the headphone jack returning. It's clear there's no going back for Apple. Wireless Courage is the future.