2017 iPhone To Get iPhone 4-Like Design, AMOLED Screen, 5.8-Inch Model

We’re just three months into 2016, but that isn’t stopping analysts from getting their crystal balls waxed nice and early, with guesswork for what 2017’s iPhones will entail already being provided.

The analyst in question is Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities who, interestingly enough, is usually surprisingly accurate with such things, so we should perhaps pay a little more attention. That being said, we’re finding it a little difficult to focus on 2017 when 2016 is so young.

Ming-Chi Kuo says that a new iPhone with glass casing and an AMOLED display is on the cards, with Apple having chosen glass ahead of ceramic and plastic for reasons of manufacturing simplicity and accuracy. Apple has obviously used glass extensively in the past, with the iconic iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s, in particular, featuring both front and back surfaces made of the material. Kuo believes that such a design will also be the inspiration in 2017, with a curved glass chassis the order of the day.

The KGI analyst also claims that 2017 will see Apple introduce wireless charging to its smartphone (which is in line with earlier rumors that suggest the company is working on ranged wireless charging technology) and a brand new 5.8-inch model, with an AMOLED display again set to be used. The 5.8-inch model is expected to replace the current 5.5-inch iPhone, though the overall dimensions will remain very similar thanks to reduced bezels. It’s unclear whether the removal of the Home button could facilitate a smaller iPhone chassis as rumored for some time, however.

At this point, a complete iPhone family overhaul for 2017 is looking increasingly likely, especially if Kuo’s claims are anywhere near accurate. Except for few changes, like thinner body, no headphone jack, no antenna lines on the back, iPhone 7 is expected to look similar to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s when it debuts later this year, so the lineup will very much be due a full design refresh in 2017. We are big fans of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s design, so we can’t wait to see what that could look like when blown up to accommodate screens of 4.7 and 5.8-inches.