iPhone 8 Rumors: Apple To Release Bezel-Free 5-Inch and 5.8-Inch iPhones in 2017 – Barclays Research Analysts

Apple's iPhone 8 will feature bezel-free designs and will be available in 5-inch and 5.-8-inch displays, according to  Barclays Research analysts Blayne Curtis, Christopher Hemmelgarn, Thomas O'Malley, and Jerry Zhang. The analysts reported that the iPhone 8 rumors might sport new form factor, ditching the traditional bezel design of earlier models.

The analysts cited sources with Apple's supply chain following their trip to Asia this week. They were quoted by Mac Rumors saying that "iPhone 8 design didn't sound 100% locked down, but we believe the move is to a bezel-less design with screen sizes getting larger and curved edges in the original envelope. The iPhone 8 moves to 5" (from 4.7") and the Plus moves to 5.8" (from 5.5")."

According to the analysts, only the 5.8-inch iPhone 8 model will use OLED display technology, which is more energy efficient than LCD technology.  As reported before, Samsung and LG were tapped to supply OLEDs to Apple for one year, then to be joined by Foxconn-owned Sharp by 2018.

This development corroborates the March 2016 report by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who said the iPhone 8 would have a curved OLED display and glass casing next year. Japanese website Nikkei described the iPhone 8 as a premium model that is positioned alongside Apple's 4.7-inch and 5-inch iPhones with LCD displays.

Previous reports revealed that the iPhone 8 would have no Home button. However, this rumor has been downplayed by Barclays. They do not believe that the iPhone 8 will move to an in-screen resolution, but they expect it to "extend vertically and horizontally."

For tech blogger and entrepreneur Robert Scoble, the iPhone 8 will have a clear glass case, which will be manufactured by Gorilla Glass, with polycarbonates infused for better durability. Apple's is rumored to incorporate augmented reality technology with the new smartphone.