iPhone 8 Tipped to Be Delayed Due to 3D Sensor Difficulties; Leaked Schematics Tip Edge-to-Edge Display

Apple's iPhone 8 is still months away, but leaks are in abundance. The latest one reiterates claims of delay in availability of the iPhone 8, and claims that it won't go on sale at the same time as the alleged iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus. Furthermore, there is a sketch of the iPhone 8 doing the rounds revealing design details of the device.

CNBC got hold of a report from Drexel Hamilton analyst Brian White that reiterates the same claim of iPhone 8 delays as reported previously. The report says that the delay is mostly due to difficulties related to the new 3D sensing technology. White also claims that the device, though delayed, will arrive before the holiday season. Finally, the report also reiterates that the 5.8-inch iPhone 8 will be the only model to sport an OLED display.

Apple iPhone 8 Specifications, Release Date, and More - Leaks and Rumours So Far

"First off, our smartphone contact believes the 3D sensing technology and OLED displays will only be offered with the 5.8-inch iPhone 8. However, our contact strongly believes the 5.8-inch iPhone will be delayed by several weeks due to challenges around the 3D sensing technology but still in time for the December holidays," the report reads.

A recent report also detailed how the 3D camera will work on the iPhone 8. It lists two methods - Time of Flight (ToF) and Structured Light. The ToF method will emit a signal at the object in front of it, and calculate the bounce off. Based on a series of bounces, the iPhone 8 will build a 3D image of the object in front of it. The second method called Structured Light projects a pattern (like a grid) onto the object in front of it, and then it distorts the object into pieces to calculate the shape of the object and make a 3D image accordingly.

The 3D sensor is also earlier reported to bring facial recognition to the iPhone 8, in addition to an improved Touch ID for added security. This will work in the similar manner as the Apple Watch and MacBook Pro work to lock and unlock the laptop. Also, this 3D sensor could have multiple applications like building 3D game avatars or taking 3D selfies. Moreover, Apple reportedly has 1,000 engineers in Israel working solely on augmented reality, as the company looks to bet big on AR, and not on VR. In any case, this 3D technology has reportedly met with hiccups, and will be the cause of delay for Apple this year, but the delay won't trickle to 2018.

A separate leak by Benjamin Geskin shows a schematic sketch of the iPhone 8 that is supposedly based on a prototype drawing shared with him by a factory worker. This sketch shows a vertical dual camera setup at the back, an extra hardware button on the right edge alongside the power button, and the front display area with many sensors on the top chin. The bottom chin is replaced by a touch-based function-area, something that has been leaked before as well.

Photo Credit: Twitter/Benjamin Geskin

The bottom edge has two speaker grilles separated by the Lightning port in between. This sketch indicates that the iPhone 8 display won't be as edge-to-edge as previously rumoured to be, but we recommend you to take this with a pinch of salt. The iPhone 8 is also expected to introduce wireless charging and better waterproofing.