iPhone 8 release date, specs rumors: Will Apple remove the home button for iPhone 8?

Kristinova V. Justimbaste Monday, October 03, 2016

The new iPhone 7 smartphone goes on sale inside an Apple Inc. store in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 16, 2016. | Reuters/Lucy Nicholson

Although the iPhone 7 was only launched this month, Apple junkies are excited and are hopeful that the tech giant will launch significant updates on the device's eighth model. Sources say that the iPhone 8 will premiere in 2017, on iPhone's 10^{th anniversary.}

For the 10^{th anniversary of the original iPhone, Apple is reportedly planning bigger design changes for the succeeding device. According to The Wall Street Journal, the company might add an edge-to-edge organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen, which means that the home button could be eliminated. Furthermore, the fingerprint sensor will be incorporated into the display. Biometric R&D company called Sonavation enabled the development for such technology.}

The change in design makes complete sense, as the company filed a patent last year for "a fingerprint sensor ... incorporated in a display stack in an electronic device."

On the other hand, two theories about the home button have come up, as pointed out by MacWorld. The first has to do with a dynamic home button, which will be sensitive to gestures. Hence, particular action would lead to a specific command. With this, users could swipe across it, or lean a thumb to scroll the screen.

The second theory has to do with a home button that pops out, and function like a mini-joystick for games. Even though this theory seems a bit far off, some iOS gamers are thrilled about the rumored controller.

In addition, the company also filed for a cured wraparound screen patent. The wrap around display will allow users to have more screen elements, without having a necessarily bigger device. The iPhone 8 could have a screen that goes around the entire device, or a screen that extends over the edge like Samsung's Note Edge.

Rumors suggest that the device could have Sapphire screens, which is the kind of technology used in Apple Watch. This type of display will be more resistant.

Apple still hasn't confirmed the latest speculations. Apple junkies should treat these as speculation until proven otherwise.