Stunning concept shows what iPhone 8 would look like with a touch bar
The iPhone 8 is expected to be Apple's biggest update to the device ever.
Slated for launch this year, the new phone is rumored to have a new OLED display that covers the entire front. For that to happen, Apple will need to remove the iconic home button/Touch ID sensor. But what'll replace it?
Nobody besides the folks at Apple really know, but a gorgeous new iPhone concept demonstrates one very helpful possibility.
The people at iDropNews imagined what an iPhone 8 would look like with a "function area" or "touch bar" at the bottom of the display instead of a home button.
Like the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar, the "function area" would show different buttons depending on the app that's open, explained KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in a report published back in February.
For instance, it could show a virtual home button when the phone's locked, accept/decline buttons for the phone app, playback controls for music/video apps, and more.
In the concept, menu bars that normally take up precious screen real estate are moved to the "function area." Photo editing features like the crop/rotation tool could benefit from it, too.
Contrary to a recent report, we aren't expecting Apple to announce the iPhone 8 at next month's WWDC.
Aside from the new display, rumors also suggest the phone will come with a dual camera system on the back, but it'll be vertically aligned instead of horizontally like on the iPhone 7 Plus. One reason for the alignment change could be to work with an AR/VR headset.
The iPhone 8 will also likely have some kind of wireless charging. Apple's reportedly switching from aluminum to a glass back and stainless steel frame to better accommodate the feature.
The headphone jack is unlikely to return and we're hoping the iPhone 7's waterproofing and stereo speakers also stick around.
Though Apple's expected to announce the new iPhone 8 this fall, they may not be ready to launch until the end of the year.
Raymond Wong is Mashable's Senior Tech Correspondent. He reviews gadgets and tech toys and analyzes the tech industry. Raymond's also a bit of a camera geek, gamer, and fine chocolate lover. Before arriving at Mashable, he was the Deputy Editor of NBC Universal's tech publication DVICE. His writing has appeared on G4TV, BGR, Yahoo and Ubergizmo, to name a few. You can follow Raymond on Twitter @raywongy or Instagram @sourlemons.
