New leaked image is the best sign yet that the iPhone 8 will have wireless charging
The upcoming deluxe iPhone 8 is slated to be the first phone made by Apple to include wireless charging — but up until now, we've had only analyst theories and supply chain rumors to cite for our projections.
Slashleaks recently shared an image that appears to show off a component that could provide the power for Apple's wire-free debut, giving us a new sign that the rumors could be true. The device's charging coil, along with other features visible in the photo, are clearly meant to be used for the inductive charging expected with the future phones for wireless charging.
The module is supposedly made for the iPhone, although it's unclear whether it will be included inside the phone's interior or a separate, external charging pad, since it appears to fit within the expected dimensions for the device, as AppleInsider noted.
A port that appears to be a female Lightning socket is clearly visible in the image, a telling feature that makes it more likely that this is a part for an iPhone.
The rear view shows off some more detailed information about the module, most notably that it will have an expected voltage between five and 12 volts and use the inductive Qi standard, which has been touted as the most likely format for Apple's wireless tech since the company joined the Wireless Power Consortium back in February.
There's not much information available about the module, unfortunately, including its exact source. There's clearly some text on the front of its face that has been blurred out, so we can only speculate on whether this comes directly from Apple or some third-party manufacturer using the new iPhone specs for new accessories.
The inductive wireless charging could be used to power a new bigger battery design, which could both provide more capacity for power ups and clear out space for the inductive materials inside the device with an L-shaped layout. New USB-C Power Delivery chips for lightning-fast charging (when using the old school Lightning cord) might also be included.
These are all rumors and speculation, though, so we can't say anything for certain about the expected OLED screened iPhone 8 or the 7S and 7S Plus, which could also feature wireless charging, that are rumored to come along with it. The new iPhones are projected to be unveiled in September, if Apple keeps its annual schedule — so until then, just listen to the mysterious charging tone to keep yourself in the wireless zone.
Brett Williams is a Tech Reporter at Mashable. He writes about tech news, trends and other tangentially related topics with a particular interest in wearables and exercise tech. Prior to Mashable, he wrote for Inked Magazine and Thrillist. Brett's work has also appeared on Fusion and AskMen, to name a few. You can follow Brett on Twitter @bdwilliams910.
