Apple’s next-generation iPhone 8 won’t be unveiled until next fall, however, there are already a lot of rumours floating around about the company’s next flagship smartphone.
We’ve read plenty so far about the iPhone 8, which will reportedly feature a bold new design, in part to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the original iPhone’s release. Beyond the handset’s design, one of the most exciting and long-anticipated new features that will come with the next iPhone is wireless charging.
Previously rumours suggested that Apple was working with a company called Energous to add long-range wireless charging to future products. Energous’ base stations are capable of charging compatible devices at a distance, which for the time being is only a few inches. Energous has announced plans to reach a range of 15 feet by the end of the year.
According to a report from MacRumors, we will not see this technology used in the iPhone 8. Researchers at Copperfield Research have published an in-depth analysis that casts doubt on speculation that Apple’s collaboration with Energous is not going as smooth as we thought. Like the initial rumors themselves, Copperfield’s report is also speculative and includes no firm evidence.
The report goes on to identify three main reasons that speculation surrounding Energous’ work with Apple is baseless. Firstly, Apple has been granted a number of patents in the past few years for inductive wireless charging. This suggests that Apple may be working on its own in-house wireless charging technology.
Secondly, Apple’s supplier IDTI stated that Apple has plans to use its own in-house solution for wireless charging in the iPhone (at least for now). Apple has not confirmed this as of the time of this post. Finally, Copperfield references one particular Apple patent in which Apple engineers discuss RF wireless charging technology and describe it as “inefficient, complicated and hazardous.”
You can read the full report from Copperfield Research from this link.
