‘iPhone 8’ Wireless Charging Coming with Switch to All-Glass Casing: KGI

According to the latest research note issued by KGI Securities analyst (or Apple fortune teller), Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple may introduce wireless charging in next year’s iPhone line up, when there is a move back to an all-glass casing.

His latest note, as obtained by MacRumors, Kuo explains his reasonings:

We believe one of the reasons why new iPhones will switch from metal casing to glass casing is to support wireless charging. In order to ensure a superior performance, we believe it is most appropriate for EMS suppliers to develop and make the wireless charger because then a comprehensive test can be conducted. As Hon Hai needs to deploy most resources to develop and produce OLED iPhone, we expect Pegatron will be the exclusive supplier of the wireless charger.

Despite the introduction of wireless charging, Kuo says Apple may not include a wireless charger in the box. He says some models will have the new charging feature next year, but wider availability to the line up should come in 2018.

Earlier today, Kuo claimed Apple could turn a 4.7-inch ‘iPhone 7s’ as its new mid-range flagship smartphone, while a larger 5.8-inch ‘iPhone 8’ with OLED display and dual-lens camera could emerge, with an active touch area of 5.1 to 5.2 inches, in what some are expecting to be a bezel-less design.

In January of this year, Bloomberg reported Apple was expected to extend wireless charging to the iPhone as early 2017. Last month, Nikkei Asian Review claimed Foxconn was testing wireless charging for ‘iPhone 8’, while in September, Venture Beat reported Apple was reportedly working on wireless charging with Energous, to deploy its WattUp technology.

Apple introduced wireless charging for its customers with the launch of Apple Watch—and many expect this feature to eventually trickle down into other products. The company’s fingerprint reader, Touch ID, first debuted in the iPhone 5s, but eventually launched for iPad and more recently, within new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models.

Are you ready for wireless charging to finally arrive for the iPhone?

P.S. - Like our news? Support the site with a coffee/beer. Or shop with our Amazon link. We use affiliate links when possible--thank you for supporting independent media.