UPDATED 02:15 EDT / JANUARY 23 2017

EMERGING TECH

Latest iPhone 8 rumors: facial recognition and improved 3D Touch

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the iPhone and even though we are months away from the expected September launch date of the newest version, rumors are coming in thick and fast for what we can expect from Apple Inc.’s latest device.

One of the biggest rumors about the upcoming iPhone is that it will feature a flexible OLED display that will wrap around the sides of the device. The iPhone with OLED display will be the top-of-the-range model while Apple is also rumored to unveil minor updates and performance improvements for the current iPhone 7 (pictured), in the form of the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus.

Other iPhone 8 rumors include an edge-to-edge display with an embedded home button and camera that will include optical image stabilization. The next iPhone, with glass body design, is also rumored to get wireless charging that will allow users to charge their device from a distance of up to 15 feet from a plugged-in transmitter.

The latest rumors making the rounds from renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from KGI Securities include facial recognition and an improved 3D Touch feature.  

Facial recognition

With the 2017 iPhone, Kuo says that Apple will improve security with the addition of a facial recognition system that will be used to unlock and lock the device. The current iPhone currently has a fingerprint scanner embedded in the Home button. The facial recognition is rumored to work alongside the Touch ID system rather than replace it. However, the fingerprint recognition system could ultimately be replaced by facial recognition, according to Kuo.

Improved 3D Touch

The rumored flexible OLED display for the iPhone 8 will be more fragile than the LCD display and will make it incompatible with the current 3D Touch pressure sensors. KGI’s report suggests that Apple will need to switch from an “FBCB sensor to a film sensor” and additional support will be provided by a metal structural part.

Image via Maurizio Pesce; Flickr

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