Apple iPhone 7s and 7s Plus, To Be Launched Alongside Apple iPhone 8 - KGI Securities

KGI Securities, a financial services group in the Asia-Pacific region that allegedly gets information from Apple's supply chain in China and reports it to its clients, recently disclosed that the Cupertino company is planning to release three versions of the iPhone simultaneously later this year.

Apart from the all-new Apple iPhone 8 that's shown in the photo above, the firm said that Apple is likewise planning to launch upgraded versions versions of the current iPhone models - iPhone 7 and 7 Plus - which will named Apple iPhone 7s and 7s Plus, following the brand's expected product timeline and nomenclature.

Leaked photo of the Apple iPhone 8's button-less face.

Based on numerous reports that have been published online, it appears that Apple iPhone 7s and 7s Plus will look largely the same as the current releases but will have improved internal hardware, making them just as powerful as the Apple iPhone 8.

However, they will most likely lack the fresh innovations that the 10th anniversary release is rumored to feature, including the edge-to-edge OLED display as well as the Fingerprint Scanner that's embedded within the screen itself.

More: Apple iPhone 8 Philippines, What We Know So Far

Soft Gel cases for the 5.5-inch Apple iPhone 7s Plus, 5.8-inch Apple iPhone 8, and 4.7-inch Apple iPhone 7s? Notice that Apple iPhone 8 has a smaller footprint compared to the Apple iPhone 7s Plus despite having a larger display.

Last month - July 2017, alleged photos of the Apple iPhone 7s Plus with glass back plate - hinting at at a possible built-in wireless charging support - were leaked online. After carefully looking at the shots, though, Apple fans noted that the images could very well be dubious.

As a tech blogger who has followed the release of Apple iPhone models through the years, I think it's highly unlikely for the brand not to make the most of the expensive production cycle of the Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. If you ask me, releasing an upgraded version of those two models having the exact same look is a logical step for Apple when you consider economies of scale.

Clearly then, not all iPhone models that will be released within 2017 will be as expensive as some people are expecting them to be. To be specific, I believe Apple iPhone 7s variants will have more or less the same pricing schedule as that of the current Apple iPhone 7.

Apple iPhone 8 Philippines Price and Release Date Guesstimate, Everything We Know So Far

As the 10th Anniversary iPhone release, a lot is expected of the upcoming Apple iPhone 8.

Many fans of the Cupertino company - including myself - and even just regular mobile consumers are hoping that the model would not only be the most gorgeous iPhone ever released but also be the most innovative and the most powerful both in terms of internal hardware and imaging capabilities.

If you're also excited about imminent release of the Apple iPhone 8, here are purported and unverified "insider information" about this upcoming handset that have already surfaced online:

Rounded Glass-Metal-Glass Sandwich Design

Hardcore Apple fans and mobile industry enthusiasts would know that the controversial iPhone 4 was the first ever smartphone to flaunt a glass-metal-glass sandwich design language, an elegant look that was eventually copied by so many handset makers.

According to various sources, the Apple iPhone 8 will have a metal mid-frame with rounded corners in between two sheets of curved scratch-resistant glass panels. This will represent a big departure from the "already tired" full metal shell of the Apple iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7 and 7 Plus.

5.8-inch Bezel-less Edge-To-Edge Display

'Supposed insiders' are saying that the new iPhone will have a 5.8-inch AMOLED display without those thick side bezels found on previous iPhone models. They say that the usable area will be around 5.15 inches across and that its corners will be rounded, just like what's on the LG G6. No word yet on the screen resolution.

Home Button and Fingerprint Scanner Within the Screen

The Apple iPhone 8 could very well be the first smartphone to have a fingerprint scanner integrated into its glass touchscreen, making the edge-to-edge face possible. Samsung was supposed to implement it on the Samsung Galaxy S8 but failed to do as Synaptics - the Korean Giant's partner in crafting the sensor - ran out of time developing the technology.

New Dual Camera Module Design

Like the Apple iPhone 7 Plus, the Apple iPhone 8 will (most likely) have a Dual Camera module at the back making depth of field effect and lossless zooming possible when snapping images. Off hand, based on 'leaked photos' of the 2017 iteration to the iPhone, the main difference lies in the design of the module.

Whereas Apple iPhone 7 Plus Dual Optics at the rear are oriented horizontally, the ones on the iPhone 8 are said to be oriented vertically within a protruding plate. Also, while the Quad Tone LED bulb of the 2016 phablet is located on the right of its Dual Cameras, the flash of this year's iPhone will supposedly be found in between the two optics.

Update as of August 4, 2017: According to various sources online, Apple iPhone 8's rear camera will be able to record 4K videos at 60 frames per second, which is a clear level-up from the 4K 30fps main recorder of the Apple iPhone 7. If this will turn out true, Apple will again be a trailblazer when it comes to sheer video recording prowess in the world of cameraphones.

Price and Release Date Guesstimate in the Philippines

Since the Apple iPhone 5 in 2012, the Cupertino company has been officially announcing its latest smartphone release within the month of September. And in the Philippines, Apple's network partners and authorized retailers have historically been officially releasing the newest iPhone within the month of November. That said, I'm expecting the Apple iPhone 8 to follow this trend. Now, as for its official price tag, my TechPinas Guesstimate is that it would start at $1000 USD - as earlier reported by other tech websites and blogs - or around Php 49,700 with current conversion and before taxes.

This post aims to collate all relevant information about the 2017 Apple iPhone model, which fans are now calling 'The Apple iPhone 8', and its availability in the Philippines. Trust that we will update this entry regularly or every time we hear important or notable news about this much-awaited handset release. Stay tuned!

Red iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, Now Officially Available in the Philippines

For every purchase of the Red Apple iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, a portion of the profit will go to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Think of it as one of Apple Community's ways of helping others - albeit not entirely non-commercial.

According to Apple, "[Just] one US Dollar can provide three days of life-saving medicine [for people living with HIV/AIDS]. Your contributions provide HIV counseling, education, and care services [...] in Ghana, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia. Together, we can deliver an AIDS-free generation."

If you're a Pinoy Apple Fan who wants to contribute to the cause or if you simply love Red, I'm sure you'll be happy to know that this special color of the iPhone is now officially available in the Philippines.

You can purchase your unit directly through Apple's official website in our country - www.apple.com/ph - or by calling 1800-1651-0525. The Cupertino company offers nationwide delivery.

The technical specifications and prices of the handsets are similar to the regular versions. However, you can't them with just 32GB of internal storage.

128GB Red iPhone 7 sells for Php 43,990 while the 256GB variant goes for Php 49,990.

On the other hand, you can grab the 128GB Red iPhone 7 Plus for Php 50,990 and the 256GB version for Php 56,990.

Supplementary Reading: 
Apple iPhone 7 Philippines 
Apple iPhone 7 Plus Philippines

Side Note: For more than a decade now, Apple has been releasing limited edition Red versions of its iPods and accessories with the noble goal of donating a portion of the proceeds to worthwhile projects that benefit humanity. Thanks these Red iDevices and the people who bought them, Apple has become the biggest corporate contributor to the Global Fund with a total donated amount of $130 Million USD.

Red Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Are For Those Who Want To Help Others

For a little more than ten years now, in partnership with the Global Fund, Apple has been releasing limited edition Red versions of its iPods and accessories with the noble goal of donating a portion of their proceeds to worthwhile projects that benefit humanity.

Thanks these Red iDevices and the people who bought them, Apple has become the biggest corporate contributor to the Global Fund with a total donated amount of $130 Million USD!

This year, the Cupertino company is releasing a stunning Red version of the Apple iPhone 7 as well the Apple iPhone 7 Plus and is keen on contributing a portion of the sales to global programs that fight HIV and AIDS.

So clearly, apart from having a unique hue that turns heads, the Red Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus also come with a deep meaning that we should all take to heart.

Thumbs up, Apple!

For those who are interested to help, the two new red edition iPhones will come in 128GB and 256GB storage options and will have price tags starting at $749 in the United States. The company is also slated to start selling these limited edition handsets in more than 40 countries - hopefully including the Philippines - either by the end of March or sometime in April 2017.