New iPhone Design to Feature Two Glass Panes With Forged Stainless Steel Chassis in the Middle?

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Posted January 10, 2017 at 3:30pm by iClarified

The new iPhone design features two reinforced glass panes with a forged stainless steel chassis in the middle, according to a new report from DigiTimes.

The next-generation iPhone is expected to abandon its conventional aluminum back cover design and will adopt a new design using two reinforced glass panes and a metal frame in the middle. The metal bezel will be made of stainless steel using a forging process to enhance its sturdiness and reduce costs and manufacturing time.

A stainless steel forging process will be used for the frame instead of traditional CNC machining. Sources say that forging is 30%-50% cheaper that unibody CNC and quality control is also more stable; however, the bezel still needs to be refined by CNC.

Orders are expected to be shared between Foxconn and U.S. based Jabil. Catcher Technology and Casetek will provide internal structural parts and Wistron has been added as a new assembler.

This corroborates reports we've been hearing for some time. The 10th anniversary iPhone is widely expected to be a major update with a glass front cover and back, 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. Another report claims that the device would be a clear piece of glass with a next-generation OLED screen. More recently, Apple is said to have be equipping the phone with wireless charging and a 3D camera.

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New iPhone Design to Feature Two Glass Panes With Forged Stainless Steel Chassis in the Middle?

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MUKAI - January 12, 2017 at 2:21am

Hands down the iPhone 4/4s was the best iPhone made. Really beautiful design, easy to open up, durable except for the glass.

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Sk - January 12, 2017 at 12:07am

Is really jet black a new color? What was the upper and downer part of the iPhone 5S space grey then? Was is propeller-black? Or is it a preview of jet black years before jetblack launch on the 7?

@Comment - January 10, 2017 at 7:21pm

The 4S had the best design

Pug Nuts - January 10, 2017 at 5:30pm

I think the 5/5s looked the absolute best.

Joe6789 - January 10, 2017 at 4:08pm

iPhone 4 design all over again. I still think 4/4s were the best designed iPhones.

Meh. - January 10, 2017 at 5:38pm

I was not a fan of the sharp edges. I much prefer the earlier and later models, much more comfortable to hold. It can't all be about looks, ergonomics and comfort matter.