The Latest iPhone Predictions, Yes Already…
Although the iPhone 7 is only just reaching mass consumers, experts are already searching for what’s next.
No matter how many iPhone iterations we’ve seen Apple devotees and critics want more. Like sci fi authors they’re eager to procrastinate about just what the world’s first smartphone will look like next.
Remember it was only September 2016 when the latest iPhone was released with the controversial elimination of the headphone jack. This came after months of detailed predictions, lists and discussion on the merits and disadvantages of such a move. Indeed, it can sometimes be hard to tell if Apple is driving the hype or if the hype is driving Apple.
Is Apple on the downward innovation slope?
There is still more than a full calendar year before the next iPhone release. It’s not even clear what the next model will be called. This, of course, doesn’t stop the predictions from rolling in, with some guessing about the next-big-thing while others are busy pointing out Apple’s downward slope in terms of innovation. Apple is famous for being specific about its naming conventions, down to the appropriate article to use with each. For example, it’s not “the iPhone” it is simply “iPhone.” Since the next iteration of the iPhone will mark the tenth anniversary of the device, it’s likely that the company will go with something more inventive than simply “iPhone 8.” Some pundits predict they will drop the “Apple” altogether and simply use the famous logo as the name.
Mashable recently wrote that “reports indicate Apple will launch an all-glass iPhone with a curved OLED display. Unlike the LCD displays Apple currently uses, OLED allows for more flexibility, brighter colors and more efficient battery consumption.”
This has been a long-rumored move as Apple is looking for more ways to innovate by adding features, rather than removing them. According to another report from Nikkei, this is a move that has been a long time coming. “We don’t know whether Apple’s OLED iPhones will be a hit, but if Apple doesn’t walk down this path and transform itself, there will be no innovation,” an insider told the Asia-based publication.
Did You Say Redesign?
MacRumors.com, which exists entirely to peddle predictions about the company, predicts that the next iteration will see a comprehensive redesign. It recently wrote that “rumors suggest it’s going to be a radical redesign, with an edge-to-edge display that does away with the top and bottom bezels where features like the Touch ID fingerprint sensor and the front-facing camera are housed. Instead, Touch ID and the camera may be built directly into the display, meaning there will be no Home button.”
Sifting Through The Rumor Mill
While it seems like the pundits could go on forever about Apple’s next move, the question, from a business perspective, is whether all these rumor mills hurt or help Apple’s bottom line. While it’s certainly a good thing to have a dedicated following interested in what you’re offering and how you’re innovating, it also means increased scrutiny. Though Apple works hard to contain leaks, it can be difficult for the company to make any unexpected or surprising moves because the press is likely to report on unsubstantiated rumors anyway.
However, as the smartphone market tightens and consumer attention spans shorten, one could assume that “any attention is good attention” applies here. If Apple continues to drive headlines by making bold design moves that perhaps the market is not ready for, it will continue to build hype around its products. As long as they stay competitive with the products themselves—not just the hype behind them—the Apple rumor mill will more than likely continue to help the brand. Do you think rumor helps or harms the Apple brand? Does it affect your desire to purchase?