There are only a few weeks left before Apple officially unveils the iPhone 8. The device is expected to have a major design overhaul. According to a report from Bloomberg, the company is planning to change the way people use its next generation of iPhones. Apple will be removing the physical home button of the iPhone 8 to make room for a larger screen.
How does gesture controls work?
The iPhone 8 will have a thin bar that involves a set of dock of icons at the bottom of its screen. Users can also perform on-screen gesture controls on the device. Instead of using the rumored virtual home button, users can drag the thin bar into the middle of the screen to open the smartphone’s multitasking panel.
The physical home button has been a staple iPhone design since it was launch in 2007. If the reports were true, the iPhone 8 will have the biggest changes in the iPhone’s history. Apple is preparing to launch three new smartphones next month, namely the iPhone 8, iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus. The other two smartphones were just minor updates of the previous model.
The iPhone 8 is expected to have a large screen that takes up nearly its entire front portion. The device will also have a new aspect ratio that will make it taller, but still easy to hold. Other rumors state the device will feature a 3D recognition sensor capable of scanning the user’s face. The 3D sensor is also capable of generating a “FaceID,” which can be used to unlock the device.
Where’s the fingerprint sensor?
However, there is still no confirmation regarding the location of the iPhone 8’s fingerprint sensor. Some rumors say that Apple will embed the sensor underneath the smartphone’s front screen, while some say that it will be moved to an awkward location at the back, just like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and S8.
Apple will also use high-end cameras on the device to rival the Galaxy Note 8’s 12-megapixel dual-lens camera.
What should we expect on Apple’s wearable device?
On the other hand, the third generation of Apple Watch is also expected to have a major update. Apple is reportedly planning to use built-in cellular chips so that the wearable device can connect to LTE networks.
The Apple Watch 3 can also function completely without pairing it with a smartphone, making it a standalone device. The company is hosting an event on September 12. Fans are expecting to see the iPhone 8 and other devices such as Apple Watch 3 and Apple TV on the said date.
