iPhone 8 release date, specs, rumors: new flagship to have smaller bezels and OLED display?

A promotional image for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 PlusApple

The iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus recently launched last September, and they both introduced several new features such as the addition of the USB Type-C port and a brand new dual-lens camera. The iPhone 8 will not probably be released anytime soon, but it is rumored to come with even more radical changes and improvements.

According to Yahoo, Apple has filed new patents indicating that the iPhone 8 may reduce the top and lower bezel on the front side of the phone. It is stated that the bottom bezel may be completely removed and that the Home button may be hidden underneath the display.

The top bezel might not be removed entirely, but it might become smaller. The patent shows that the proximity sensor, the ambient light sensor, and the front-facing camera will be moved around, or some might be hidden underneath the display. Those that cannot be placed underneath, such as a camera, will be moved to the side.

By doing so, the top bezel can be made smaller than it already is. Should Apple be able to achieve this new design, then the iPhone 8 will be able to take full advantage of the larger display space.

In order to achieve this, it is said that the iPhone 8 will use an OLED display instead of an LCD.

Forbes reports that the possibility of the iPhone 8 using ceramic materials instead of aluminum is unlikely because of the time and space required. Ceramics are used for the Apple Watch Series 2, but it is pointed out that the device is much smaller, and Apple manufactured a fewer number of them compared to the millions of iPhones they make and sell every year.

The Apple iPhone 8 is expected to launch in September 2017, following the launch pattern of the past iPhone models, including the recently launched iPhone 7.