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Despite that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are still hot from the oven, a new analyst report already bets that next year's iPhone will change up the design, sporting a glass back reminiscent of the iPhone 4.
The report was put together by Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, which has a reliable track record of predictions and bases its findings on the reaction to this year's iPhone 7 announcement, 9to5Mac reports.
Kuo already wagered that the 2017 iPhone would go glass as far back as this spring - adding that the device will also have a 5.8-inch AMOLED screen and "2.5D" glass cut over a "3D" cut for better drop resistance - but its latest report bases its updated prediction on iPhone 7's performance post-announcement.
Seemingly, the key factor in KGI's prediction is the Jet Black variant of the iPhone 7, which sports a slick glossy finish that accentuates Apple's trademark refined design.
KGI claims that the appealing Jet Black finish brought in preorders for the iPhone 7 en masse, but the phone's special sheen has a critical weakpoint: it scratches like there's no tomorrow.
Stay glassy, Apple
Despite Apple bragging about the nine levels of anodization and polishing it takes to get the Jet Black iPhone 7 to shine so brilliantly, the glossy finish isn't particularly scratch-resistant.
In fact, the variant highlights the slightest abrasion so much that the company actively suggests covering up their work in a case.
For this reason, KGI predicts Apple will learn its lesson and revive the sturdy glass back for its next design. The logic is doing so won't abandon fans of the Jet Black iPhone 7's shiny finish, but will be much more resistant to scratching (and possibly easier to mass produce) than the complicated process of glossing up aluminium.
The revival of the iPhone 4's glass back may not be the only callback. KGI's report also predicts that the design will use either a stainless steel or aluminum frame to appear more in line with "classic" iPhones than the current aesthetic.
In fact, demand for the Apple design days of old were already foretold last year, when Apple announced the iPhone SE - a smaller phone meant to bring in customers who might've balked at the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus' sanded-down look.
While we'd love the idea of a sturdy and pretty iPhone 8, the backing will likely be moot since we'll probably put it in a case anyway. We don't want to wind up cashing in that AppleCare warranty prematurely after one bad interaction with the sidewalk.
from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/1329625
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