Another source claims 2017 iPhone will ditch aluminium for glass

The iPhone has been through several design changes over the years, starting off as a plastic device, then switching to glass for a short time and for the last several years, it has featured an aluminium-body. While we normally see the major redesigns happen on non-S iPhones, it is starting to sound like things might be different this generation as the iPhone 7 will apparently once again feature aluminium, while the iPhone 7S in 2017 will have an all-glass design.

According to one of Apple's casing suppliers, Catcher Technology, speaking with Japanese publication, Nikkei, there will be at least one glass-body iPhone next year: “As far as I know, only one iPhone model will adopt glass casing next year. I don't think this move will have an impact on Catcher's revenue as glass casing still needs a durable metal frame which requires advanced processing technology and would not be cheaper than the current model.”

iPhone concept image by Martin Hajek (via Forbes)

This isn't the first time we've heard of major features or design changes heading to the 2017 iPhone rather than this year's version. In-fact, if all the rumours turn out to be true, then it would seem like next year's iPhone will be worth waiting for. Other rumours for the 2017 iPhone indicate a switch to higher-quality OLED displays and even next-generation wireless charging technology. We also heard from one other source last month that next year's iPhone would feature glass, rather than aluminium.

KitGuru Says: I always preferred the glass design of the iPhone 4 and 4S to the aluminium design found on the iPhone 5 and 6 so I'd quite like to see it return next year. That said, it is a little odd that we seem to be hearing more about Apple's plans for 2017, rather than what it has lined up for this year. 

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