iPhone 8: 15 Things We Need To See In Apple’s Next Phone
Remember the days when we had to watch the news on TV to stay up to date on current events? Or, the days when you had to actually pick up a landline phone to call family members and friends? Those days are long gone thanks to the Apple iPhone, a device that has revolutionized the way we connect with one another.
For most people, you can’t say the word “smartphone” without the iPhone immediately coming to mind, and for good reason. The first iPhone debuted Jan. 9, 2007 and took the world by storm. Since that time, more than 1 billion iPhone devices have been sold around the globe, and Apple continues to add new features to help the device set the pace in the global smartphone market.
From the introduction of Siri to the debut of Touch ID fingerprint recognition, Apple continually strives to improve its iPhone. At the same time, Apple understands the iPhone is a work in progress, and even the iPhone 7 is far from perfect. Lucky for Apple, we’re here to identify some of the best ways to improve the iPhone.
When it comes to improving the iPhone, there’s plenty of work that lies ahead. Now, here’s a look at 15 things we’d like to see in the next iPhone.
15. Bring back the iPhone headphone jack
The AirPods are Apple wireless headphones that stay connected to an iPhone 7 all the time. These wireless headphones look cool and perform great, but they aren’t for everyone. Fortunately, if you’ve been using traditional headphones for years, you can still connect them to an iPhone 7 if you have the appropriate headphone jack connector.
What we’d like to see perhaps more than anything is for Apple to get rid of the headphone jack connector with its next iPhone device. Instead, give iPhone users the option to use the AirPods or their headphones any time they choose – those who prefer headphones to AirPods are sure to appreciate it.
14. Let us store all of our pictures and videos on our iPhones
When Apple unveiled the iPhone 7, the company appeared to have taken the hint in regards to the storage problems associated with the iPhone 6. Apple launched the iPhone 7 with devices starting with 32GB of storage, up from a minimum of 16GB of storage with the iPhone 6. But with the ongoing push for 4K Ultra HD (UHD) video, it’s easy for just about anyone to fill up their iPhone with assorted videos quickly.
If Apple ups the storage on its next iPhone, users should have no trouble keeping all of their photos and videos on their mobile devices. Or, if Apple offers a simple way to add storage to the next iPhone, users are sure to be happy with that too.
13. Give us the power to keep our iPhones running all day – and beyond
OK, so we’re not saying the iPhone 7’s battery life is bad, we’re just saying it could be a lot better.
The iPhone 7 features a non-removable Li-Ion 1960 mAh battery that is extremely powerful. In fact, the iPhone 7 battery delivers talk time up to 14 hours and music play up to 40 hours on average.
But for those who want to go at least a few days before needing to recharge their mobile device, the iPhone 7 battery simply isn’t worth the trouble. Hopefully, Apple will heed our call for longer battery life, as this has been a problem with iPhone devices dating back to the first-edition iPhone.
12. Let us take the iPhone underwater
The iPhone 7 is splash- and water-resistant, which means if you spill a small amount of liquid on your device, it’ll probably be OK. That’s all well and good, but what about if you forget to take your device out of your pocket before you go swimming? In all likelihood, your iPhone will get ruined, no matter how much rice you use to dry your device.
Smartphone case manufacturers like OtterBox have proven that waterproof cases are effective. If Apple would incorporate a waterproof case into its next iPhone, we wouldn’t have to worry about paying an extra $50 or so to pick up an OtterBox case to protect our devices against water damage.
11. Make it easy for us to personalize our iPhone messages
iOS 10 has taken iPhone message personalization to the next level and provides handwriting capabilities – that is, if you want to use your finger to write messages.
The Apple Pencil now gives iPad users the ability to handwrite messages comfortably and easily, and adding Apple Pencil capabilities could make a world of difference for iPhone users as well.
Just imagine jotting down notes in class on your iPhone or penning a handwritten letter to a close friend – all without having to grab a pen and paper. With Apple Pencil capabilities at their disposal, iPhone users would be able to write personalized messages seamlessly.
10. Add USB-C capabilities
USB-C is now the gold standard for most smartphones. A USB-C connector enables smartphone users to transmit both power and data. Meanwhile, Apple developed the Lightning and MagSafe connectors that connect exclusively with Apple products. This means if you have a USB-C cable for your iPhone, you’re out of luck.
It may be only a matter of time before Lightning and MagSafe cables become obsolete, and we have our fingers crossed that Apple incorporates USB-C capabilities into its next iPhone. Failure to do so could be a huge missed opportunity for Apple, especially if the company hopes to build trust with new iPhone users in the foreseeable future.
9. Provide wireless charging
At this point, why should anyone be forced to plug their mobile device into a specific port to recharge it?
Wireless charging is no longer the future of smartphone technology – it’s the here and now. However, Apple still has yet to incorporate wireless charging features into its iPhone.
Going forward, Apple would be wise to include wireless charging in its next iPhone. This would allow iPhone users to recharge their devices through the air without having to go anywhere near a plug or dock. As a result, the addition of wireless charging could help Apple take the next step forward with its iPhone.
8. Go with an edge-to-edge display
Count Sony and Samsung among the key players to introduce edge-to-edge displays on their devices. These displays transform ordinary viewing experiences into exceptional ones on devices that are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.
The iPhone 7 boasts a Retina HD display that is 25 percent brighter than the screens on the iPhone 6, along with enhanced color management for supreme quality. But just think about how the iPhone 7 would look with a display that covers the entire front of the device or even curves around the back of it. If Apple can change this dream into a reality, it’s sure to make a lot of iPhone users very happy.
7. Make the iPhone shatter-proof
Sadly, it’s not unusual for the iPhone 7 screen to break. If you get out of bed in a sleep-deprived state and accidentally drop your iPhone on a wood floor, there’s a chance the screen will shatter, leaving you with a costly repair bill.
We realize that the iPhone is a consumer-friendly smartphone, so we understand a military-grade screen is probably asking too much. But is it too much to ask to improve the iPhone screen to the point where we won’t have to worry about the screen breaking if the device slips out of our hands? Please Apple, make the iPhone shatter-proof, and we’ll be eternally grateful.
6. Revamp the iPhone design
The iPhone doesn’t need a complete design overhaul, but taking the device’s industrial-inspired design in a new direction certainly couldn’t hurt.
For instance, the iPhone 7’s new home button was a pleasant surprise, and Apple’s decision to incorporate vibrations through the home button was nothing short of brilliant. But when you compare the iPhone to the Samsung Galaxy and other top-of-the-line smartphones, the iPhone’s design falls short. And if Apple can incorporate small yet meaningful changes into its next iPhone’s design, the company could improve the iPhone to the point where the device is a hands-down top choice for smartphone shoppers.
5. Upgrade the camera
We have to give credit where credit is due. Apple has gone above and beyond the call of duty to improve the iPhone’s camera over the years. The iPhone 7 includes a 7-megapixel front-facing camera that delivers optical image stabilization and other state-of-the-art features, while the iPhone 7 Plus boasts a dual-lens camera with a zoom feature that uses two 12-megapixel rear cameras.
Clearly, Apple has made iPhone camera upgrades a priority in the past and is likely to explore additional camera improvements. If the company continues to invest in superb smartphone camera technology, the next iPhone could satisfy the needs of amateur and expert shutterbugs alike.
4. Provide a 4K UHD display
If you’re trying to check Facebook updates or browse the web on your iPhone 7, the resolution on your device could be better. Apple has shown that it wants iPhone 7 users to produce 4K UHD videos, but the iPhone 7 lacks the display needed to display these videos in their full glory.
The use of a 4K UHD display may push the next iPhone over the top. This display would make it simple for users to record, edit and watch 4K UHD videos on their iPhones and enjoy the full beauty associated with 4K UHD. Plus, iPhone users wouldn’t have to worry about poor resolution if they use their devices for day-to-day web surfing thanks to a 4K UHD display.
3. Take the iPhone’s processor to new heights
For those who feel the need for speed, the iPhone 7 offered a faster processor than those associated with most Android devices. But it is important to keep in mind that Apple designs its software and hardware in combination with one another. So even though the iPhone 7 processor is fast, it looks inferior – at least on paper – when compared to the processors of many Android devices.
Apple realizes there is always room for improvement, particularly when it comes to processor speed. As such, Apple may invest in iPhone processor improvements to ensure users can quickly and effortlessly download videos, access web content and much more.
2. 14. Offer virtual reality capabilities
Gear VR and other virtual reality devices provide mobile gamers with experiences unlike any other. Although Apple introduced a VR starter pack last year, the company has yet to go all out to deliver a mind-blowing VR experience. But all of that could change with the next iPhone.
The demand for mobile VR titles is expected to rise over the next few years, and Apple would be remiss to ignore the VR market opportunity. If Apple wants to gain ground with mobile gamers, the company should consider adding iPhone VR capabilities. And who knows, the addition of VR capabilities to iPhones may even allow Apple to provide mobile gamers with a look at a virtual Siri as well.
1. Cut the price
Let’s face it – you’ll likely need to break the bank to purchase any iPhone device. Today, the most basic iPhone 7 costs $649, or you can purchase an iPhone 7 Plus for $769. It’s asking a lot for Apple to upgrade its iPhone without increasing the price – we realize that. But we also understand that Apple is known for making the impossible come true.
If there was ever a company that could provide a superior smartphone at a budget-friendly price, it’s Apple. And if Apple can keep the next iPhone’s price in check, consumers across the planet may jump at the opportunity to purchase the latest and greatest iPhone.
Sources: history.com, apple.com, cnet.com, theverge.com, forbes.com