Ausdroid’s 2016 Gift Guide – Smartphones and Tablets

Welcome to the Ausdroid 2016 Christmas Gift Guide. This year we've split our usual long list into a couple of categories for you to refer to. Starting off the Christmas Gift Guide series is Phones and Tablets.

Obviously the most expensive devices you'll use Android on are phones and tablets, but they're also the most important. We've addressed most price points for the range of devices, we've got a recommendation if you're starting at the bottom end of the market, as well as if you're heading right to the top.

Phones Oppo F1s

The Oppo F1s represents an entry level device at a great price for almost anyone loo king for a good phone. It's not even hampered very much by a poor spec list, it's literally a great handset that runs well for a good price.

There's two ways to get yourself an Oppo F1s, depending on which colour you want and if you wish to purchase a device unlocked to use on the carrier of your choice, or if you're ok with using the Optus network.

Outright, the Oppo F1s will cost around $318 from places like JB HiFi where it's available in Gold and Grey unlocked and ready to use on any Australian network. If you're wanting to save a few dollars, you can also get the Oppo F1s as a pre-paid device from Optus for $259, which will get you a Selfie Stick as a bonus, though it's only available in Grey.

The Oppo F1s impressed Phil in his review back in October with great battery life, impressive selife camera and of course that great pricing. There are some drawbacks with performance however so it's not all sunshine and roses. That said, it's a solid device and Oppo has been pretty good with their software updates so it's a good choice for a budget range Christmas present.

Axon 7

Next up, we're getting into the slightly higher end of the market with the surprise 'flagship' phone from ZTE. Launched earlier this year, ZTE Australia are still rolling this bad boy out with online sales on their Australian website but retail sales are expected to start next year. At $699, it's not the cheapest, but it's certainly not the most expensive device either.

The Axon 7 made a splash when it launched with ZTE claiming it as the first 'DayDream' ready handset to be announced. The phone will need a Nougat update for that functionality to happen, but ZTE have got the rest of the hardware just sitting waiting and from all accounts, Nougat is all but a certainty for this handset.ZTE have been building their brand in Australia for some time now, and it's paying off in spades, the interest in the Axon 7 has been an eye opener and for good reason it seems to be a great phone. Unfortunately we're still waiting on our review unit, but the initial impressions from customers seem positive.

If you want to get your hands on one for someone in time for Christmas, check out their website and see how you go.

HTC 10

As far as the last few years are concerned, HTC hasn't had the best ones really when it comes to launching phones. The HTC One line got a little stale, but when they dropped the 'One' branding and announced the HTC 10, a little spark of interest jumped back up in the hearts and minds of HTC fans around the world – and when it launched, they had good reason to celebrate, it's a return to form for HTC.

The HTC 10 returns to HTC's great design roots with a more refined look, it also fixes a number of issues that the HTC One M9 had last year, primarily the camera. The camera is finally great, the phone runs smoothly and it's also very well priced.

HTC has been progressively dropping the price on the HTC 10 to the point where without even shopping around very much you can pick one up for around $700 from one of the smaller guys, or $750-$800 if you stick with Kogan or JB HiFi.

All up, the HTC 10 is a solid device, it's in line for a Nougat update at some stage and well, it just looks the business. Anyone finding one of these delightfully designed handsets under the tree this Christmas will be well pleased.

Pixel XL

In a year that saw the traditional 'Big' handset we recommended actually removed from sale, Google happened to jump in with the best device they've ever launched…the Pixel XL.

It's coming at the back of our recommendations, because at $1,269 it's not the cheapest phone on the market…but in our opinion it's the smartphone of the year. We've gone with the XL version of the PIxel (but really if you prefer the smaller the size you can't go wrong with a Pixel), as it offers the larger battery, bigger (and more pixel dense) screen and well, it fills that Note shaped hole in everyone's life this Christmas.

The Pixel XL sports a best in class camera, it's got the best processor on the market and it also has a bunch of Android exclusive features built-in like Google Assistant which is being constantly refined by Google, it has Night Mode, a god send for anyone wanting to get some shut-eye and it has unlimited photo-storage at full resolution in Google Photos.

The Pixel (XL) is also DayDream VR compatible and though it's early days, that platform shows a lot of promise. The PIxel XL with its more pixel dense QHD resolution is also more suited for VR so you will see things a little more clearly in those virtual apps.

The design is a little pedestrian, but as a first year release – this is Pixel, not Nexus remember – the Pixel phones are the best Android experience you can give to someone, so if you want to give someone a good experience of Android, then the Pixel XL is our pick this year.

You can get one from Telstra, but if you want it from the source, the Google Store is selling them as well online.

Tablets

Ahh, Tablets. Are they really still a thing? Well, they are….and they aren't. But the attraction of a good tablet can't be denied, the attraction of a decently priced larger screen media consumption device is also attractive so we're always looking at what's available. Sadly in Australia the Google Pixel C is sold out on the Google Store, Asus still hasn't launched their latest tablet, and Samsung's A series tablets are over-priced (IMHO) for what they offer, so what else is around?

The answer is Lenovo! Lenovo has a great range of decently priced tablet options on the market, they also have another option in the YogaBook which will work as a tablet as well as a more traditional clamshell style productivity device – though with a few extras thrown in.

Lenovo Tab 3 8" and 10"

But back to those tablets, the Yoga Tab 3 8" and 10" are getting a little long in the tooth right now, but the Tab 3 series are still solid contenders for great media consumption devices.

Powered by Mediatek processors, the tablets aren't the most powerful of beasts and in fact with only 1GB of RAM on the 8" model, you'll be probably only wanting to do the basics on that one. They do both come with support for Dolby Atmos sound, so if you're into a great sound experience they can certainly pump out some great audio.

The pricing is pretty decent, the Lenovo Tab 3 8" goes for $219 while the 10" model, which has better screen resolution, larger battery and of course more RAM goes for $399, and you can even get some better deals if you shop around.

Lenovo YogaBook

My pick for a tablet this year though is definitely the Lenovo YogaBook. It's twin-panel setup is still thin enough in tablet mode to be light and easy to handle by even children, and it offers the functionality of a much higher end device. It also offers anyone with a business or artistic use case a highly accurate stylus experience on the Create Pad panel.

The software included on the YogaBook has a focus on productivity and pursuits more in line with those of an artistic nature, but they're easy to use and quite functional. If you've ever had to take handwritten notes and transcribe them into a computer later the YogaBook with its character recognition is a gift from the heavens. Not only is the standard software load pretty greta, Lenovo has improved on the YogaBook since the first release as well, which shows Lenovo is committed to this platform.

Lenovo has created a wonderfully designed device with the YogaBook. It's also quite well priced at $799 running Android but it's packed full of specs and runs like a dream.

If you're looking for a gift for a productivity, or Artistic focused person in your life then the Lenovo YogaBook is a very good suggestion. You can check them out on the Lenovo website and order from there.

So that's our 2-cents worth on what you should be looking at this year for Christmas, there's a lot to check over and it comes down to price and what the person you're buying for really wants. Sound them out, see what clicks and go from there – I certainly wouldn't be upset by any of these being under my Christmas tree come December 25th.

 
Source: Ausdroid's 2016 Gift Guide – Smartphones and Tablets

'Super Mario Run' Game Updates 2016: Release Date, Price, Gameplay, Demo, And More! Download The App For Free!

Super Mario Run gameplay demo(Photo: iJustine/YouTubeScreenshot/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqu8yDC1km4)

Good News! Everyone can now play the beloved childhood game that carries lots of memories of most gamer's childhood. This time around, Nintendo is launching its first smartphone game, "Super Mario Run."

According to USA Today, the designer who brought Mario to life, Shigeru Miyamoto, would design the game much easier than how it was used to play. Instead of focusing on the control pad, you would just focus on Mario's jumping. This idea was sparked by concerns about the game being too complex and that the original Super Mario Bros. was best known for its user-friendly interface.

Super Mario Run will be free to download, as per CNET, but in-app purchases are required to unlock the following levels after the first four. The unlock costs $9.99, £7.99 or AU$14.99 to get the full experience. The game is projected to make $71 million USD worldwide making the third place for first-month top earners behind Pokemon Go with $143 million USD and Clash Royale $107 million USD.

The game is said to feature three modes, which are World Tour, Toad Rally, and Kingdom Builder. The World Tour contains similar features similar to Super Mario games and the only difference is how the character is moved. In Toad Rally, players are able to compete with other players to gain approval from Toads. These Toads will then be able to live in the player's personal Mushroom Kingdom, personalized in the Kingdom Builder. These game modes according to Miyamoto are designed in a way where the three phases work together.

Instead of having their first experience on a dedicated video game device, most kids uses smartphones as a medium to play video games. "(The game) was less about simply bringing the same experience to iPhone," Miyamoto says. "Instead, it was about focusing on who is that casual player on an iPhone and what's an appropriately casual Mario (game) they can enjoy."

Video game apps are stepping up their game to compete in the rankings, the gaming app "Clash of Clans" recently announced their biggest update yet as well as Niantic's "Pokemon Go". Super Mario Run is set to launch on the iPhone and iPad this coming Dec. 15 and soon on Android devices.

Source: 'Super Mario Run' Game Updates 2016: Release Date, Price, Gameplay, Demo, And More! Download The App For Free!

Samsung Announces Update That Will Brick All Galaxy Note 7 Devices in America, Verizon Refuses to Release It

Samsung has announced an update that will brick all Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in America. The Galaxy 7 smartphone was discontinued and recalled for being a fire hazard.

Consumer safety remains our highest priority and we've had overwhelming participation in the U.S. Note7 Refund and Exchange Program so far, with more than 93 percent of all recalled Galaxy Note7 devices returned. To further increase participation, a software update will be released starting on December 19th that will prevent U.S. Galaxy Note7 devices from charging and will eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices. If you have not yet returned your device, you should immediately power it down and contact your carrier to obtain a refund or exchange.

While Samsung thinks that bricking all Galaxy Note 7 devices is in the best interests of safety, not all carriers agree. Verizon is refusing to push the update out of concern for customers.

Today, Samsung announced an update to the Galaxy Note 7 that would stop the smartphone from charging, rendering it useless unless attached to a power charger. Verizon will not be taking part in this update because of the added risk this could pose to Galaxy Note 7 users that do not have another device to switch to. We will not push a software upgrade that will eliminate the ability for the Note 7 to work as a mobile device in the heart of the holiday travel season. We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation.

Sprint is planning to wait until after the holidays and will release the update on January 8th. AT&T is waiting until January 5th and T-Mobile will push the update on December 27th.

If you have a Galaxy Note 7, we strongly recommend you power it down and get rid of it as soon as possible.

Read More [Via Verge]

Source: Samsung Announces Update That Will Brick All Galaxy Note 7 Devices in America, Verizon Refuses to Release It

Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom Spotted on TENAA with Dual-Rear Camera, Early 2017 Release Possible

Asus, the Taiwanese smartphone giant, unveiled their Zenfone 3 series of smartphones at their Z3NVOLUTION event back in May 2016. The company has released a good number of phones in the same series including the Zenfone 3 Laser and Zenfone 3 Max.

However, it looks like the company isn't done yet. A new Asus smartphone with the model number Z01HDA is spotted on the Chinese certification site, TENAA. However, going by the camera setup, the smartphone seems to be the Zenfone 3 Zoom.

Also Read: Alcatel Idol 4 First Impressions: A Value For Money Android Smartphone

But, there is no confirmation on the megapixel count of the dual camera. One source suggests that both the cameras are of 16MP and the other indicates that one will be of 16MP sensor and the other one will be of 13MP. To recall, the Asus Zenfone Zoom came out with special optical zoom capabilities, and we are expecting the same with the Zenfone 3 Zoom as well.

The TENAA listing also revealed the purported specifications of the phone. The Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom will feature a 5.5-inch 1080p display with a curved 2.5D glass on top of it. Having said that, the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset will power the Zenfone 3 Zoom as well. But, there is some confusion regarding the RAM on this device as the listing suggests three variants of the phone with 2GB/3GB/4GB of RAM along with 16GB/32GB/64GB of internal storage.

Also Read: Asus Zenfone 3 Max First Impressions: Big Battery, Neat Design, And Comfortable Footprint

Also, the smartphone will be backed by a large 4850mAh battery and boots Android Marshmallow based Zen UI out-of-the-box. Currently, there are no rumors regarding the release date of this smartphone, but do make a note that Asus is holding an event at the CES 2017, where the Zenfone 3 Zoom is expected to be unveiled.

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Source: Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom Spotted on TENAA with Dual-Rear Camera, Early 2017 Release Possible

UMi Z will be the first Smartphone come with MediaTek Helio X27

A few days back we have seen MediaTek unveiling its new chipsets which were added to the Helio family. The Taiwanese giant named them as X20-X23 and X27 and now UMi Z is going to be the first smartphone to come with Helio X27. According to the press release, the device is expected to come in December but is nothing about the specifications and pricing is known yet.

Coming to Mediatek Helio X27 (MT6797X) sports a tri-cluster deca-core design like the X2x predecessors, but the maximum frequency is up to 2.6 GHz on the most powerful ARM Cortex A-72 cluster. The frequency is also bumped for the Mali-T880MP4 GPU up to 875MHz, and it has MiraVision EnergySmart Screen technology to enhance power efficiency and upgraded Imagiq ISP for camera processing adding built-in 3D depth engine for depth of field processing and supports mono sensor.

The multiple sensor designs will be able to capture three times the light compared to the normal single sensor. There is also an MT6300 Envelope tracking module that will complement MediaTek's CAT-6 modem and the voltage supplied to the RF power amplifier uses continual and fine-grained voltage adjustments to increase the amplifier efficiency. This reduces the heat generated and can save up to 20 percent current at the maximum power level.

Well, nothing is confirmed yet by the company yet, so we need to take this with a pinch of salt. UMi is making a device to be unveiled in December and it could be UMi Z. We have seen UMi Plus E was the first device to come with Helio P20 processor and we can expect similar to happen again. Are you excited to see this new device from UMi? Stay tuned to PhoneRadar and we will get back to you once we get official information from the company. Do comment in the section below if you have some something to share with us.

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Source: UMi Z will be the first Smartphone come with MediaTek Helio X27

Top 5 Alcatel Idol 3 Smartphone Problems & How To Fix them

Alcatel is known to almost all the Android lovers as this manufacturer release a wide variety of smartphones at regular intervals. It equips latest features in their devices and ensures high-specifications at an affordable price. Now everyone is waiting for the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 4 and Alcatel OneTouch Idol 4S smartphones with huge expectations.

Many Android lovers bought Alcatel Idol 3 smartphone soon after its launch and are very happy with its 5.5-inch display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor. But due to certain uses, the users seem to face few common issues on the phone, and we are here to fix those issues. We made few workouts on the phone and found easy solutions for all the issues. So, relax and sit back, and go through the below solutions to fix your issues.

1. Over-Heating Issue

Problem – Well, in every Android device, users have to face this issue, and there could be various reasons behind this. So, we found few precautionary measures which when followed will reduce the risk of over-heating of the device.

Solution – To avoid the issue of over-heating, first of all, remove all the battery-draining apps present in the device. Mostly bloatware causes this issue and so uninstall/disable the pre-installed apps. Also, remove the useless apps that are downloaded by you as they consume the space and have an indirect effect on the performance of the phone.

Next, remove the widgets and Live Wallpapers from the device. Widgets and live wallpapers will over-load the processor resulting in over-heating of the device. So, we advise you to remove all such things from the device to keep the device safer.

2. Lag in performance

Problem – Another common issue that is troubling Alcatel Idol 3 users is the lag in the device performance. The lag issue will arise due to many possibilities and so by taking few precautions we can fasten the phones performance by avoiding the lag.

Solution – To avoid the lag issue, first of all, make sure that your device is updated with the latest software as they can fix the minor issues in the phone. Next, enable the 'Developer Options' by tapping few times on 'Build Number' under 'Settings>About Phone'. Now, open the developer options under settings and then find out animation scale options. Next, turn the animation setting off or reduce them to 0.5x to enable the faster performance.

Now, removed the cache stored in the apps by tapping on 'Clear Cache' button after opening each app from the app manager. Once you are done, the phone should be free from the lag issue. If not go for wipe cache partition. To do so, turn off the device and hold volume up and power button at the same time. Keep holding the volume up button until you see the menu. Now choose 'English' (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirming the selection). So, now select and confirm 'Wipe Cache Partition' and once the process is done go for 'Reboot system now.'

By now, the problem should get resolved and if not perform the factory reset. The entire data gets erased from the device after performing the factory reset and so take a prior backup before proceeding. Once the backup is done, then turn off the device and enter into recovery mode as explained above. Now, select and confirm 'wipe data/factory reset' and 'Yes – delete all user data.' That's all; now your phone will be new and should be free from the lag issue.

3. Poor battery life

Problem – It seems like battery life is also become a major concern for the Alcatel Idol 3 users as many reported that the device is draining faster. So, we made few workouts with the issue and found simple solutions to improve the battery life.

Solution – As explained in the solution 1, remove the bloatware, useless apps, widgets and live wallpapers from the phone as they consume more amount of the battery. While charging the device, make use of original battery chargers so as to experience the real-power of battery and avoid charging by connecting to PC or laptops.

Always make sure to turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, data and GPS options whenever not in use as they too eat away the battery. If the battery is draining rapidly even after you have taken all the precautions, then replace it with a new one.

4. Dialer Issue

Problem – Few users reported that they are facing an issue with the dialer of the phone. They stated that they are unable to use the dialer for the first time, and it is working only after re-dial. Well, with few workouts you can solve this issue.

Solution – Well, this issue has come to limelight in the devices which got updated to new software. Only a few users reported about this issue, and so it may be a problem with the software update which can be resolve by another update or by re-installing the same update properly.

Also, try to remove the app cache and perform wipe-cache partition as explained in the solution 2. If the problem persists, then perform the factory reset of the device as mentioned in the solution two as this should resolve the issue.

5. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection issue

Problem – Another problem that is seen in most Android devices is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issue. But with simple workouts, this can be resolved.

Solution – Always make sure that you are attempting to connect the proper Wi-Fi. Now, restart the device and re-connect to the network. If it fails, then restart the router and try, For Bluetooth error, try to remove all the existing paired devices from the phone and restart the device. Now start pairing the device and the issue will get resolved.

Note – Software updates contain fixes for minor bugs and enhancements to improve the device performance. So, always make sure to update your device to the official releases of software. If you didn't receive any notification about the software update, then you have to check it manually by opening 'Settings>About Phone.' If available then download and install the same.

In case if you have any other issues with your Alcatel Idol 3 smartphone then feel free to write us down in the comments section below as we try to resolve those issues for you.

Speed up the performance of Alcatel Idol 3 smartphone.

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Source: Top 5 Alcatel Idol 3 Smartphone Problems & How To Fix them

Apple iPhone 8: All the rumors on specs, release date, design and price

The iPhone 7 is easily one of the best phones of 2016. It delivers peppy performance, more storage capacity than its predecessors, water resistance, a resilient battery, exceptional cameras (especially the iPhone 7 Plus model) and a host of other terrific features. But despite CEO Tim Cook's prerelease promise that it would provide "things we can't live without," Apple's iPhone 7 is an incremental upgrade. The 2016 phone is more of an evolutionary step rather than a revolutionary leap. In fact, with the omission of a headphone jack, one could argue that the iPhone 7 lacks a thing some of us can't live without.

Still, this is just small fries compared to the early rumors that point to next year's iPhone -- the one marking the 10th anniversary of the very first iPhone ever -- as the revolutionary, no-holds-barred model that will once again push the boundaries of what your phone can do for you. Expect the big reveal in the fall of 2017 (early September, if Apple sticks to its usual cycle). Until then, we'll keep track of the rumor frenzy below.

Announcement and release dates

For years, Apple stuck to a pretty regular schedule, reserving major design changes for even-numbered years and leaving lesser "S phone" refreshes for odd-numbered years. So we were due for a total redesign in 2016 but instead we got the iPhone SE -- a minor, midcycle update with particularly modest refinements on the iPhone 5S design -- and the iPhone 7 -- a meaty update under the hood, but with no real redesign.

The iPhone 7.

James Martin/CNET

Except for the missing headphone jack, it looks identical to an iPhone 6 and 6S. All of this has fueled widespread expectation that Apple will forgo the midcycle "S" refresh in 2017, and offer up a major update -- the "iPhone 8," presumably -- in September 2017.

What's in store

After a series of new iPhone devices featuring only minor external tweaks, it's reasonable to wonder if Apple's designers have hit a wall. Have we reached the boundaries of smartphone design, with future innovations confined to bumps in processor speed and battery efficiency? Or do the designers in Cupertino have a dramatic redesign up their collective sleeve for the iPhone 8?

Other companies have taken their phones in some novel directions. Apple's archrival, Samsung, which builds its phones around Google's Android mobile software, has started using curved glass in its designs, giving users an "Edge" where they can read quick notific ations. Motorola's Moto Z and Moto Z Force phones have magnetic connections for attachable back plates, cases and modules. LG has toyed with a modular phone concept; its G5 features add-on modules that boost audio and extend battery life.

Chassis

Business Insider has reported that Apple is already developing hardware for the iPhone 8 at an office in Israel, with the focus on a design that's "different."

Since the run-up to the introduction of the iPhone 7, there have been rumors about the possibility of an edge-to-edge display. And in November 2016, The Wall Street Journal reported that the next generation could include a curved OLED screen -- a possibility raised by many others as well.

The WSJ also reported that Apple is considering multiple variations of the next model, so anything is possible. Case in point: there have been murmurs about a ceramic body, already seen on the premium Apple Watch Series 2, which the company says is four times tougher than stainless steel.

Apple's ceramic Watch Series 2.

Home button

Apple is already making changes to its signature home button. On the iPhone 7, that meant a new, solid-state button that you don't click down. Instead, you rest your finger on top and the phone shivers with haptic feedback to let you know the button's working. (If it stops working, iOS 1 0 surfaces a temporary on-screen Home button.)

Apple could very well experiment with this in future devices. There are rumors (like by Japanese Mac blog Macotakara) that its new iPad tablets could ditch the home button and become almost bezel-less when they hit, possibly in early 2017.

Maybe it'll even become invisible. In 2015, Apple filed a patent for a transparent fingerprint sensor embedded into a smartphone display. Maybe that's something we'll see in 2017. With the iPhone 7's new solid-state button, that pressure-sensitive screen and more Siri skills, Apple could decide we just don't need a physical home button anymore. Removing it would also let Apple slim down the top and bottom bezels as well as squeeze a larger screen into the same size body -- so long as it could integrate that Touch ID sensor.

Wireless charging?

Samsung does it, and Apple is starting to, too. The wireless AirPods headphones may have been just the beginning. Next year's iPhone could do away with the last physical wire: the Lightning cable needed for charging. Earlier this year, Barclays analyst Mark Moskowitz predicted that Apple would reserve this innovation for the iPhone 8; The Verge reported that Apple has been staffing up on wireless-charging experts; and in November, Nikkei Asian Review reported that Foxconn, one of Apple's main manufacturing partners, is making wireless charging modules for the 2017 iPhone. Most recently, veteran Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that the forthcoming 4.7-inch iPhone will come equipped with wireless charging.

The Apple Watch already uses a form of wireless charging. And the Qi standard, embraced by the likes of Samsung, already drives wireless charging stations in thousands of public spaces and 50 models of cars. Those stations are just waiting for an iPhone.

Samsung has made phones with slightly curved faces before, but we haven't seen anything like the Samsung Galaxy Round, which bends the actual AMOLED display technology lengthwise beneath the glass.

Sarah Tew/CNET Cameras

Dual-lens cameras like the one found in the iPhone 7 Plus and other phones aren't just for zoom photos. Two cameras mean depth sensing, 3D and a lot more -- like enabling cool things with augmented reality.

Apple CEO Tim Cook keeps talking up the feature, which can place virtual things in your real-world view, saying it's more important than virtual reality, which immerses you completely in a digital world. It's possible that the next iPhone (or maybe an "iPhone 8 Plus") might have a dual-lens camera that could scan the world and overlay 3D objects onto it with high accuracy.

Display

For a long time, rumors suggested that Apple would give the iPhone a sapphire display, which would offer a higher degree of scratch- and shatter-resistance than the current models' Gorilla Glass. Makes sense, since Apple already uses the material on the higher-end Apple Watch. Sapphire is expensive, though, and Apple won't want to tremendously raise prices in its base model phone. There's definitely a question mark hanging over this one.

It's also being said that the iPhone will become curved. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo at KGI Securities has predicted that Apple will introduce a new curved AMOLED display in 2017. That'd be a big change from the LCD screens in today's iPhones -- AMOLED is thinner, lighter, more flexible, and more power efficient. And in November, Sharp President Tai Jeng-wu mentioned that the next iPhone would have this OLED screen; of course, Apple hasn't confirmed it.

With months to go before an official announcement, we'll keep an eye on how the iPhone 7's static "button," dual-lens Plus camera and absent headphone jack may have set the stage for even bigger changes ahead.

Scroll down for a reverse-chronological look at the latest rumors.

November 28, 2016Rumor: New iPads may finally ditch the home button

Apple is rumored to release new iPad tabl ets in the spring, and a Japanese report claims they will be nearly bezel-less.

November 28, 2016Is an iPhone with a curved OLED screen on the way?

Reports say the tech giant is asking its Asia-based suppliers for increased production of OLED screens.

November 2, 2016The iPhone 8 could have wireless charging

Apple manufacturing partner Foxconn is reportedly testing wireless charging for the next iPhone.

September 28, 2016Apple 'iPhone 8' already in the works, report says

The next iPhone is being developed at offices in Israel and will feature a "radical redesign," reports Business Insider.

September 17, 2016iPhone Next: How iPhone 7 hints at next year's breakthrough

Apple has shown that a series of little upgrades over time adds up to big changes in the future. So what's on tap for the iPhone's 10th anniversary?

Source: Apple iPhone 8: All the rumors on specs, release date, design and price