Apple is rumoured to be swapping aluminium for stainless steel in iPhone 8
Published on Thu, 12 Jan 2017
Business Insider reported that Apple will use stainless steel instead of aluminium for the so-called iPhone 8’s metal frame, according to the latest rumour out of the company’s East Asia supply chain reported by DigiTimes. It would be the first time Apple has used stainless steel since the iPhone 4s, Apple Insider said and the switch adds credibility to predictions that the iPhone 8 will feature a glass-sandwich design (glass at the front and back of the phone).
DigiTimes hasn’t always been correct when it comes to reporting on Apple’s future iPhone plans, but KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that stainless steel will be used for high-end models back in September, according to MacRumors. Mr Kuo said that “As stainless steel has a better look than aluminium and costs more, we expect only high-end new iPhone models to come with a stainless steel frame next year.”
The latest rumour from DigiTimes, which cites Taiwanese sources stems from reports that Apple has changed its supplier, placing orders for stainless steel iPhone casings with manufacturing partner Jabil, instead of its usual supplier Foxconn.
But this contradicts a report from MacRumors, which said Mr Kuo believes that “Foxconn will be the sole supplier of high-end iPhone models next year as the exclusive manufacturer of the new stainless steel frame.”
Source : Business Insider