Ming-Chi Kuo: 2018 iPhones To Come With Updated Stainless Steel Frames For Improved Data Transmission Quality

iPhone X is still brand new, but we're already starting to hear rumors about what to expect from next year's models. Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he believes iPhones released in 2018 will feature a "more complex" metal frame design and casing assembly for the purpose of improving data transmission quality.

Kuo said Taiwanese suppliers Catcher Technology and Casetek have won orders from Apple for the new metal frames, including two models with stainless steel frames, which likely includes the iPhone X and so-called iPhone X Plus.

Kuo notes that the iPhone X uses four parts for the stainless steel band around the casing, but new models next year may shift to using more parts. This would presumably result in a modified design visually, if accurate. As for what improved data transmission quality could mean, it’s not clear if this refers to some kind of a specific spec improvement or just modest improvements in general.

Orders for 2H18F iPhones are market focus; both Catcher and Casetek have won new orders. We believe the metal frame of 2H18F iPhone models will be composed of more parts (iPhone X has four parts) for improving data transmission quality. We believe Apple will need more metal frame and casing assembly capacity and new suppliers because of more complex metal frame design and casing assembly, while models equipped with AMOLED and stainless steel metal frame will increase to two (vs. only one — iPhone X — in 2H17).

We expect Catcher will obtain stainless steel metal frame and casing assembly orders. If Casetek can pass certification in late 4Q17 or early 1Q18, it also may win aluminum metal frame and casing assembly orders.

The analyst has also predicted ‘spec upgrades’ but no rear-facing TrueDepth Camera on next year’s iPhones. The TrueDepth Camera enable face-tracking features like Animoji as well as Face ID. He believes Apple will replace Touch ID with Face ID on all new iPhones next year. Face ID is also expected to come to new iPad Pros next year as well.

Via MacRumors And 9to5Mac, Image Credit Macworld UK