One of the best Apple analysts in the world, Ming-Chi Kuo from KGI Securities, has came with new information on Apple's radical and controversial "all-glass" iPhone project.
Kuo's report has been first came out in the reliable 9to5Mac online publication. Kuo says that the new Apple iPhone will be completely redesigned. The aluminum chassis will be replaced with an all-glass enclosure complemented by the new cutting edge curved OLED display.
According to Forbes, iPhone's fans will still have to wait for these exciting changes that will come in the year 2017 rather than 2016. This means that the design change, if accurate, would not apply to the upcoming Apple iPhone 7, scheduled to launch this September.
MacRumors reports that the majority of new iPhone models starting in 2017 with feature the new "all-glass" design. Apple will return to iPhone 4s-like glass casing to differentiate its mobile device from an increasing number of competing aluminum smartphones. The switch to an all-new form-factor design would allow the high-tech giant Apple to "enhance the competitiveness" and innovation of iPhone.
The year 2016 would be the fifth in a row that iPhone is still using an aluminum casing and for consumers is missing a feeling of freshness in design. To increase the appeal of its mobile devices, Apple has to gain again a clear edge in differentiation from its competitors, according to the KGI Securities analyst.
Kuo added that from 100 percent currently, the ratio of new iPhone models using aluminum casing will likely drop to just 40 percent or less. The all-new form-factor design will make up the difference, in a bid ot enhance the iPhone's competitiveness on the market.
At least on the short term, some aluminum-based iPhone models will likely remain available. It is expected that they will be older Apple iPhone models, such as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s.
According to Kuo, some investors are concerned that glass casing would fail a drop test or would be too heavy. However, according to the KGI Securities analyst, the return to glass casing will not be problematic because Apple will switch in 2017 to lighter AMOLED screens.
