The recently released flagship smartphone from Apple — the iPhone 7 — received mixed reviews from consumers as it introduced some new features along with the apparent lack of some of the more standard ones. Now, fans are looking forward to the company's next offering — the Apple iPhone 8 — which should be coming out next year.

According to the latest reports, the company's CEO Tim Cook has now apparently hinted at a brand new feature for the next iPhone, which doesn't necessarily indicate any visible change to the device. The CEO recently went on a trip to Japan to speak at the opening of a brand new research and development facility in Yokohama.

Cook had several interviews before the opening and he mostly talked about their company's plans, but what interested tech consumers was when Cook talked about their focus on developing a better artificial intelligence (AI) through "deep engineering."

"AI is horizontal in nature, running across all products. We want the AI to increase your battery life. As well as [helping] you remember where you parked your car." Cook had mentioned when speaking with Nikkei before the facility's opening.

His words were then spread throughout the internet and showed fans a glimpse of the possible things that will be coming for the new iPhone. If Apple will indeed be focusing on providing a better AI, then it is possible that the next iPhone would be heralding its arrival.

However, Apple will be facing some very stiff competition as Google has been making big developments in that front with their DeepMind division. Microsoft has also reportedly built an entire division centered around developing a new AI that will likely be coming out in their future products.

Aside from a possible new AI on the iPhone 8, other reports have pointed to the device likely coming with a full display that will cover the entire front side of the phone. The company will likely be using their recently approved patent that would embed the home button and fingerprint sensor under the phone's display.