Digieco Report Reveals Three Next-Generation iPhone Models
New iPhone models are expected to feature AR, facial recognition, and gesture recognition.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the iPhone's launch. What will the new iPhone look like?

Apple CEO Tim Cook emphasized that Apple is in the midst of innovation in a post titled “10 Years of iPhone: The Revolution Continues” on the company’s website.

Regarding Apple's future plans, the KT Economic Research Institute (DigiEco) released a report titled "The Next-Generation iPhone, Coming in Three Models" (written by Seungyeol Kim) on the 29th of last month. According to the report, Apple is reportedly aiming to expand the market with new iPhone sizes, AR, and facial and gesture recognition features.




▲ iPhone 7 (Source: Apple)

A document believed to have leaked from a supplier to Apple has been made public. The document suggests that Apple, which has traditionally focused on a single model, will diversify its device sizes to reflect market demand. Apple appears to be considering a simultaneous launch of three models: 4.7-inch, 5.5-inch, and 5.8-inch. The newly added 5.8-inch model is expected to take a new approach by adopting an OLED display.

Apple acquired PrimeSense, a 3D motion sensor technology company, in 2013, and Metaio, an augmented reality software company, in May 2015. Foreign media outlets, including Business Insider, say the motion sensor is Apple's way of pushing AR to the forefront. Google, a rival in the AR market, has been secretly working on an AR project and unveiled Tango, an AR platform combined with 3D technology, at CES last year.

Indeed, Apple CEO Tim Cook has expressed his interest in AR in lectures and media. In a speech last September, he stated, "The day will come when users around the world will experience augmented reality." In an ABC News interview, he stated, "Between VR and AR, I think AR has more promise." The report stated that Apple intends to build a new ecosystem by embedding AR functionality in the camera app for the new iPhone and activating relevant content.

Meanwhile, questions are being raised about whether the next-generation iPhone will be able to increase its market share in the future. OLED and AR technologies are already widely known. Samsung Electronics, a rival, is also expected to feature an OLED display in its Galaxy S8 series, scheduled for release in April.