Foxconn Insider Leaks Details About iPhone 8, Apple Glasses, E-Ink Keyboard, Siri Speaker, More

A Foxconn insider has purportedly leaked numerous details about Apple's upcoming iPhone 8, Apple Glasses, e-Ink keyboard, Siri speaker, Macs, and more.

The leaks come via a reddit IAMA with user Foxconninsider, who was verified by the /r/apple mods as being legimate.

When questioned about the risk of revealing this information, Foxconninsider said, "It's a distributed network with thousands of people having exposure on the same information; most of which is already sold to KGI securities and other analysts for their reports. Apple world wide loyalty team did have central security investigate some divisions after our last post however."


The group has apparently been collecting leaks from insiders for four years without any assets compromised.

Here's a summary of the leaked information:

iPhone 8/X
● iPhoneX has x axis bezel uniform to y axis; camera module redeveloped; rear camera orientation is vertical on EVT's.
● Bezels: Almost uniform except for top near face / camera sensors.
● Will the iPhone feature Facial Detection and a Retina Scanner for biometrics? Yes, included in the front facing camera modules.
● Water resistant
● Wireless charging
● Lightning not USB C as reported
● New battery charging chipset from TI.
● iPhone X production has been delayed, we saw EVT's without a rear capacitive sensor, but instead an optical module mounted under the glass substrate. There was issues apparently in being able to manufacture and secondly registering finger prints.
● EVT did have Touch ID but not capacitive unit. Instead in manufacturing it was bonded to glass substrate.
● Rear panel was composite glass to allow wireless charging. The renders have aluminium unibody which is not accurate.
● The glass not metallic, similar to iPhone 4 approach but with different properties and heat treatment.

Apple Glasses
● 65% (likelihood to be cancelled). Very unique design, if it can be done properly will be like what the iphone did 10 years ago
● AR to mass consumers
● Rough bill of materials of Project Mirrorshades - Apple Iris: Kopin NED Acetate frame, Polarisized or prescription lens with Zeiss smart optics, Bone induction modules, Microphones (noise cancellation), Light sensor, Accelerometer for step tracking and head movement app navigation, Magnetometer for navigation, Capacitive Pavel Ceramic battery Apple chipset Charging circuit BL5 Induction module
● What colour(s) were the frames/arms? Crystal (clear), champagne and black.
● What shade(s) were the lenses? We only saw transparent reader lens but I understand they can procure polarised or prescription lenses
● What finish was allied to the frames/arms? Cellulose acetate Injection mold frames into an aluminum mold. Colors are added and tumbled for finish.
● What shape were the frames and lenses? P3 frame design
● What sizing options did you test? Two sizes, men's and woman's
● Price: Usually 4x the BOM cost; it would indicate around $600 mark.
● What control interfaces did the Glasses have? Microphone for voice, accelerator meter and magnetometer for steps could be used for apps like tinder, nod for yes, shake for no, small capacitive strip on arm for accept calls, volume functions.
● How do the glasses work? Prism that conveys NED display image to lens.
● What resolution was the display image on the lens? 428x240 resolution.
● NED in lens at 3/4 to peripheral of user field of vision. Project may not go to mass production. Very likely to be cancelled. Flexible battery is difficult on mass production. Display prism is delayed also.
● Bone conduction modules in the arms behind the ear.


Siri Speaker
● Hon Hai lost contract to another EMS. Same shape (as Mac Pro) but smaller. We have no seen design since Chinese Lunar Year; long time ago.
● Tested three designs, one design without camera, without screen.
● We would predict given production schedule; announce but not release until later in year. EVT to DFM went to another EMS so we do not have intelligence
● A modified A9 chip will be in Siri home speaker.

E-Paper Keyboard
● Foxconn JV with startup; keyboard with e-paper display embedded in new keyboard. Testing of two e-paper technologies; E-ink in black and white and color, other a color Qualcomm display (cancelled due to IP dispute).
● Key mechanism: Low profile but very different mechanism not by Apple; by Hon Hai JV.
● Will Apple have both the Any Key technology AND a Touchbar? Both. Function row is OLED touchbar: remaining keys are e-paper smart keys.
● Timeframe: Still being tested for new custom displays; late 2018 /2019.

iPhone 7s
● Aluminium unibody instead of the glass chassis on the iPhone X.
● No wireless charging for 7s.

iMac
● SOC update for 2017; incremental update.
● The full hardware design + smart keys are delayed to 2018.

MacBook
● 2017 Macbooks: updated SOC but no much changes
● Future designs: More glass and dark black body. Reintroduce white apple light.
● Same inputs USB c for MacBooks.
● Yes, MagSafe will return. It's being tested now so 12-18 months.
● Will MacBook Pros have 32Gb RAM option? Yes for 15 inch MacBook.
● No touch interface except for touch bar. Laptops on the 18 month horizon do not have touch displays.

MacBook Air
● This line is discontinued.

iPad
● We can confirm the new third iPad size.

Apple Watch
● Glucose, sweat, and other such monitors are unlikely until developments in battery technology.

For those looking on confirmation of the iPhone 8's design, Foxconn Insider says it looks the like the image below. "More glass but close."

The IAMA is still ongoing at the link below. Follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for more leaks and news on Apple products.

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[Mockup]