Report: Foxconn currently producing & testing wireless charging modules for iPhone 8

Apple may have only recently released its new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, but the company is already in the process of making feature decisions for next year’s ‘iPhone 8.’ A new report from Nikkei claims that Foxconn is currently in the process of producing wireless charging modules to go along with the release of next year’s iPhone…

The report explains that the module being produced by Foxconn is integrated into the iPhone itself, but it’s unclear at this point if the all of next year’s models will include the capability or if it will be limited to higher-end models.

In the end, however, the inclusion of the feature is dependent upon the yield rates Foxconn is able to achieve. Essentially this means that the number of satisfactory units out of a production batch must be at a certain level to warrant the large-scale production of the capability.

A source “familiar with the matter” explained the following to Nikkei:

“But whether the feature can eventually make it into Apple’s updated devices will depend on whether Foxconn can boost the yield rate to a satisfactory level later on.”

Earlier this year it was reported that Apple is developing “long range” wireless charging technology for iOS devices. At the time, Apple was said to be working with a handful of partners in both the United States and Asia on the technology, which would allow for the iPhone to be powered from further away than current charging mat and inductive solutions allow.

This isn’t the first time wireless charging has been rumored as a feature for the 2017 iPhone. KGI first reported on the inclusion of the capability earlier this year. The iPhone 8 is also expected to feature an OLED display, though perhaps just with the larger iPhone 8 Plus model. Other rumored features have included a new 5-inch variant, an all-glass design, smaller bezels, no Home button, and a smaller overall form factor.

Nevertheless, it’s becoming more clear that the 2017 iPhone will be a major update, especially compared to the iPhone 7. The iPhone 8 is expected to help Apple combat the continued slowing of iPhone sales and please investors.