Tag: chassis
New Apple patent conceptualizes a foldable iPhone with touch sensors covering its entire chassis
The first illustration Cupertino designers provided with the patent application appears to be a foldable iPhone. The patent proposes layering a flexible membrane containing touch sensors over the entire phone. The idea here would be that a user could still interact with the device without flipping it open, making it…
iPhone 15 Could Feature Titanium Chassis With Curved Rear Edges
According to Twitter user @ShrimpApplePro, the back edges of the iPhone 15 will be rounded to create a new border, similar to the bottom edges on the case of Apple’s latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. For reference, the iPhone 14 models use a flat-sided design with squared off edges that harkens back to the iPhone 4. The last model to sport curved edges was the iPhone 11.
Despite the switch to titanium material, the iPhone 15 will “still have a back glass,” claims the leaker, who has provided accurate information in the past, although @ShrimpApplePro cautions that the information comes “still very early to take it as it is.”
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard rumors claiming Apple will release a titanium iPhone. Earlier this year, iPhone 14 rumors suggested that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max would have a titanium alloy chassis, but that did not play out: All iPhone 14 models have a chassis made of aluminum and stainless steel.
However, Apple has recently investigated into the viability of titanium casings for its products, which include patents related to the use of processed titanium with unique properties for future MacBooks, iPads, and iPhones.
Compared to stainless steel, titanium has a relatively high hardness that makes it more resistant to scratches, and its stiffness makes it durable enough to withstand bending.
However, titanium’s strength also makes it hard to etch, so Apple has developed a blasting, etching, and chemical process that can give titanium enclosures a high-gloss surface finish for a more attractive appearance. Apple has also been researching the use of thin oxide surface coatings which can reduce the appearance of oily fingerprints.
If the latest reports are accurate, it would be the first time Apple has used titanium in iPhones and iPads. The company has used titanium as a casing material in recent Apple Watch models such as Apple Watch Ultra, and the physical Apple Card is made of titanium, but the latest iPhones and iPads are made of stainless steel and aluminum.
Likely to arrive in September 2023, the iPhone 15 models are expected to come in identical sizes to the iPhone 14 lineup and feature USB-C instead of Lightning, solid-state volume and power buttons, new camera technology, and Dynamic Island for all models.
According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple might potentially replace the “Pro Max” version of the iPhone 15 with a new “Ultra” model, following its Apple Watch Ultra naming convention to indicate a top-tier product. Whether the titanium case rumor relates to a specific iPhone 15 model, however, is unknown.
This article, “iPhone 15 Could Feature Titanium Chassis With Curved Rear Edges” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Apple Watch ‘Pro’ Accessory Cases Hint at Redesigned Chassis and Flat Display
According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the Apple Watch Pro will debut with an all-new design that’s a reworking of the form factor Apple first introduced with the Series 4 in 2018. Today, new leaks out of China allegedly give us a better idea of the rugged new Pro model ahead of time.
Two images, one tweeted by leaker Sonny Dickson (above), the other posted to Weibo by user UnclePan (below), both of whom have shared accurate information in the past, purport to show accessory cases for the forthcoming Apple Watch Pro.
UnclePan notes in his post that the “Pro is not square in the traditional sense, but a new form factor,” and the casings do indeed hint that the main body of the watch will be rounded, while the upper rim of the chassis that meets the display will be flat and potentially sit flush with a flatter screen than the Series 7 model, possibly to provide better all-round protection against impacts.
There are also several cutouts suggesting larger, more protruding Digital Crown and Side buttons on the right, paired on the left with what appear to be larger-than-usual individual openings – one round, one pill-shaped – where the device’s thin speaker slats are usually located. Whether these are to accommodate a new speaker design or additional physical buttons is unclear.
Prior to the release of the Apple Watch Series 7, multiple rumors suggested Apple was working on a refreshed design with flat edges similar to the flat edges of the iPhone 13 and iPad Pro, but that didn’t end up happening. Rumors now suggest that the Apple Watch Pro could feature a similar sort of design with a flat display, but the device is not expected to get flat edges.
The new Apple Watch Pro is said to have a noticeably larger display on which users will be able to view more fitness and health-tracking data at the same time. The Pro model will also feature redesigned watch faces and a new low-power mode, according to Gurman.
The display is said to measure in at almost two inches diagonally, which is larger than the 1.9-inch diagonal screen size of the current Apple Watch Series 7 and the planned Apple Watch Series 8. It is also expected to include a more shatter-resistant screen and have a larger battery to accommodate longer workout times.
The standard Apple Watch Series 8 models are expected to feature the same design as the Apple Watch Series 7 with no updates to the chassis.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 14 lineup during a special event at Steve Jobs Theater on Wednesday. Alongside the new iPhones and Apple Watch models, Apple is also said to be unveiling new AirPods Pro earbuds.
This article, “Apple Watch ‘Pro’ Accessory Cases Hint at Redesigned Chassis and Flat Display” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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