Months after the launch of Apple's latest premium handsets, the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and the flagship iPhone X, the Cupertino-based firm is reportedly preparing its next batch of iPhone models for this year. Interestingly, Apple is said to release three new iPhone versions in 2018, and one of them is no longer expected to include the 3D Touch feature.
As reported by The Verge, the 3D Touch feature was first introduced by the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, allowing users to access different apps and functions with varying amounts of pressure applied on the screen display. However, it looks like the end of the pressure-sensitive content is near as Apple may no longer support such feature in their future iPhone devices. In fact, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that one of the iPhone 2018 models arriving this year will not have 3D Touch, MacRumors reported.
The iPhone 2018 model in question is said to be a mid-range variant of out the three. Specifically, the handset is rumored to sport a 6.1-inch display, with price ranging from $700 to $800. While this model will be cheaper than the iPhone 8 and iPhone X handsets, the 6.1-inch device will borrow some of the features of the 2017 flagship, including the Face ID system, single-lens rear camera, and an aluminum protective casing.
Reports also hint that the upcoming iPhone 2018 device without the 3D Touch feature will be packed with a regular non-stacked logic motherboard and a rectangular battery. This is where the difference lies with the iPhone X, as the latter has a more compact hardware design inside the phone body. The 6.1-inch iPhone 2018 model is also expected to share the same bezel-less front display, just like the iPhone X, and it might also feature the same notch area. However, the handset will use an LCD panel instead of an OLED display.
Kuo's latest notes do not indicate if the iPhone X and iPhone 8's wireless charging capability will also be included in the mid-tier iPhone 2018 model. Aside from the 6.1-inch variant, Apple is predicted to unveil a 5.8-inch iPhone device with an OLED panel and a more extensive 6.5-inch OLED phone, which is believed to be the iPhone X Plus.
