iPhone 8 release date, news, specs rumors: Apple sticks with traditional 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch variants; 10th anniversary iPhone to sport glass chassis

Even though the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphones have only been around in the markets for roughly a month, it is never too early to speculate regarding the next iteration of Apple's flagship handset. The rumors are rife that the iPhone 7 will no longer have a follow-up upgrade set for 2017, and instead, the Cupertino-based tech giant will go straight to an all-new iPhone model. Nonetheless, the highly anticipated iPhone 8 will be the most special Apple device to date.

The iPhone 8 is expected to be different compared to its predecessors. Expected to be released during the tenth anniversary of the iPhone brand, its eighth iteration is said to sport an innovative design, veering away from the usual features of an iPhone device. However, Apple Insider recently reported that the iPhone 8 will still have the usual 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch variants. It was earlier reported that Apple will produce three size variants for the iPhone 8, putting a stop to the usual two-size variants trend started by the iPhone 6 in 2014. For now, it does not seem like the iPhone 8 will be having the new middle-sized, 5-inch model.

Meanwhile, the Apple scooper website noted that the iPhone 8 will be a revolutionary handset that will detach itself from the previous iPhone models. For one, the iPhone 8 is expected to have a dual curved edge design instead of the usual flat appearance. It also is rumored that the iPhone 8 will have a glass chassis that contains a new AMOLED display for the smartphone. On the other hand, Gizmodo noted that the iPhone 8 is not necessarily going to be an all-glass handset. It is likely that the next iPhone model will have a metal frame made of either aluminum or stainless steel. It is also still unclear if the glass chassis for the iPhone 8 will only be available for the "Plus" or top-tier variant.

Basing on the previous release dates of the new iPhone model, the iPhone 8 is expected to arrive in September 2017. Likewise, the public may also expect that next year will see the next iteration of the iPhone SE, which was first introduced by Apple earlier this year.