With Apple’s iPhone celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the Cupertino-based tech company is set to bring significant updates to its annual refresh of the iconic smartphone. For this year’s report, reports suggest that Apple could make the next iPhone waterproof and also incorporate wireless charging support into the device.
According to a report by Nikkei Asian Review, iPhone supplier Wistron has hinted that the next 5.5-inch iPhone could feature a waterproof design and wireless charging. Speaking after a shareholders’ meeting, Wistron CEO Robert Hwang said, “Assembly process for the previous generations of [iPhones] have not changed much, though new features like waterproof and wireless charging now require some different testing, and waterproof function will alter the assembly process a bit.”
Bringing waterproofing and wireless charging aligns well with industry standards as the iPhone’s rivals, like the Samsung S8 and LG G6, already feature these features. The question remains as to which device Apple decides to bring these features to. According to reports, Apple may bring three iPhones this year which would ideally be the updated iPhone 7s and 7s Plus and also the iPhone 8 to commemorate the iPhone’s tenth anniversary. Apple could include these features on all devices or could restrict it only to the flagship iPhone 8.