While the official release of the Apple iPhone 8 is likely to be five or more months away, the rumour mill is in full swing already.
The most talked about feature is the screen, which is thought to wrap across the face of the device. Such a fundamental adjustment gives rise to a number of design considerations such as the placement of the home button, volume controls and fingerprint scanner, the last of which has come under close scrutiny this week.
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Breakthroughs few in next iPhone
Big breakthroughs may take a backseat in Apple's launch of the 10th anniversary iPhone.
On Wednesday night, Melbourne tech positor Sonny Dickson drew attention with a tweet titled "iPhone 8 looks to be taking a new direction" that features what appears to be a technical drawing of an iPhone design.
iPhone 8 looks to be taking a new direction pic.twitter.com/mG19bcDYiC
— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) April 19, 2017
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The illustration features what appears to be a space at the back below the Apple logo for a potential fingerprint scanner.
"Dual Vertical cameras are here, Touch ID sensor on the back. Definitely a shift in design," tweeted Dickson.
"Hard to tell, but volume rockets seem to be omitted as well," he continued.
The reclusive Dickson has established a reputation as a reliable source of phone leaks, quoted widely by news sources.
Speaking to Fairfax via email, he gave the likelihood of authenticity of the illustration as "50/50", conceding "It's hard to know with Apple."
Speculation about whether the bottom port offers lightning or USB-C connectivity abounded.
There is no sign of a headphones jack in the blueprint, so users hoping for its return may have to let go.
Samsung solved the vanishing home button dilemma on the recent S8 and S8+ releases by placing its fingerprint scanner at the back, drawing criticism from Fairfax reviewer Peter Wells about its accessibility.
With specs on relatively level pegging, it seems like minor design decisions such as fingerprint scanner placement will be pivotal to the phone's reception.
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