There's been a truckload of back-and-forth recently on the subject of the iPhone 8, everything has been tinged with uncertainty, but in particular its release date and its design. Will it have a curved OLED or not? Will it arrive in September or October? Or will it be delayed until 2018?
But now a batch of images has leaked online allegedly showing the final design, which, if true, would confirm a number of key features previously rumoured.
The images come via the Twitter account of 3D designer Benjamin Geskin, who recently posted similar images of the forthcoming 10.5in iPad Pro. Just as with this prior leak, the new iPhone 8 images are CAD designs apparently handed to Geskin by case makers.
Again as with the iPad Pro leaks, Geskin has posted two batches of CAD designs, one 2D and one 3D, followed by his own highly polished rendering of what the final product may look like based on said CAD data.
Most notably, the images appear to confirm the edge-to-edge display design. However, this design removes the familiar Home key/Touch ID fingerprint scanner from the phone's front.
What's not clear is what this is replaced with; previous rumours and leaks have suggested the scanner and Home key functionality could be embedded under the display glass, while others suggest it could be moved to the rear panel as with many rival handsets.
Additonally, the functionality could feasibly be split, for example, a rear-mounted Touch ID scanner with an on-screen software Home key on the front where the old phyiscal key used to live.
Interestingly, the CAD designs show a circular shape on the middle of the rear panel which could feasibly be a Touch ID scanner, however, Geskin's render shows it to be the Apple logo location with no real indication that it's a Touch ID scanner. Feasibly it could be both, of course.
The images also show a set of dual-speakers in the phone's base, flanking the Lightning port. We also see a dual-camera sensor on the back with an LED flash module in the middle, positioned between the two camera sensors.
The design also matches closely with an image from Slashleaks, which Geskin retweeted, with the handset wearing a flip-case.
Geskin has also leaked an internal memo to AppleCare employees which said they could not take holiday between September 17 and November 4. However, while this does point to an event on September 17, it does not necessarily confirm the iPhone 8 launch event as Apple will likely launch the iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus in September regardless of whether or not the iPhone 8 is ready in time.
"As you know, there are new product announcements and launches in September," the memo said.
"We will be imposing Black Out Days in all AppleCare programs for Advisors and Leaders."
"The upcoming Black Out Days will be September 17 through November 4"
"Absences are unacceptable."
