Apple to Release Three 'iPhone 8' Models With Glass Backs Next Year?

Apple is allegedly planning to release three 'iPhone 8' models all with glass backs in 2017, according to Nikkei. The glass backs are reportedly being provided by China's Biel Crystal Manufactory and Lens Technology.

Apple is preparing to unveil a made-over iPhone at the device's 10th anniversary in 2017. The source said however, that the U.S. tech titan could change its plans for the new backs, given that it ceased production of the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 model bearing a single lens less than six months before launch.

"Apple has tentatively decided that all the 5.5-inch, 5-inch and 4.7-inch models will have glass backs, departing from metal casings adopted by current iPhones, and Biel and Lens are likely to be providing all the glass backs for the new iPhones next year," the source said.


The glass front and back covers are said to be held together with a metal frame. While Foxconn is rumored to be working on developing a glass back of its own. Sources believe the company won't be able to secure orders for the component as its Chinese rivals have a technological edge.

Nikkei also reiterates a previous report that the 5.5-inch iPhone 8 will feature a curved OLED display supplied by Samsung while the other two handsets will use the same low-temperature poly-silicon panels adopted by the iPhone 7.

We've been hearing reports for some time that the 10th anniversary iPhone will be a major update. It will purportedly have a front glass cover and chassis, joined by a metal bezel and an edge-to-edge display that has no bezels on the top and bottom. Additionally, the front camera, Touch ID, speaker, and other sensors will apparently be embedded into the display. Earlier this week, another report claimed that the device would be a clear piece of glass with a next-generation OLED screen.

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