iPhone 8 release date, specs rumors update: Three new iPhone models to come out in 2017?

A promotional image for the iPhone 5, iPhone 6, and iPhone 7Apple website

Three new iPhone models are expected to be released next year, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed in a new research note.

The tech analyst who consistently unveiled several credible details about the past iPhone releases dropped another detail about Apple Inc.'s next-generation smartphone devices. This time, Kuo revealed that there will be three new iPhones next year.

"We look for new 2017 iPhones to come in three models: one OLED model, and two TFT-LCD models with a 4.7-inch and a 5.5-inch display. We believe the OLED and 5.5-inch TFT-LCD iPhones will feature [a] dual-camera," Kuo's report said as spotted by MacRumors.

However, Kuo did not mention the actual display size for the upcoming OLED model of the next iPhone. However, he earlier revealed that there will be a 5.8-inch iPhone that will be released in 2017, with a curved OLED display as well as a glass casing and bezel-free designs.

Reports also claim that if Apple will indeed come up with the OLED feature on its next iPhone models, this can save a lot of battery life in the upcoming smartphones.

Other smartphone manufacturers that use the OLED display on their devices include the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the newly released Google Pixel phones.

Meanwhile, another report from BGR claimed that the Cupertino-based tech giant will create the next iPhones with more complicated tactile vibrations on its display due to the small but high-performance processor. This could help them introduce a device that does not need a physical Home button so they can use the space for bigger screen display.

On the other hand, Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly denied the rumors that they will include a VR option on the next iPhones. In an interview with Buzzfeed, Cook said that he would rather see an AR feature in the next iPhones compared to the VR.

However, Apple has yet to make their own announcement regarding their plans for the iPhone 8 that is expected to be released in 2017.