The iPhone launching in 2017, possibly called the iPhone 8, will include wireless charging, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo wrote in an “Apple Insight” note distributed to investors.
“All 2017 new iPhone models will likely support wireless charging, with Pegatron being the exclusive supplier of the wireless charger,” Kuo wrote in a note seen by Business Insider.
The Apple Watch is already capable of wireless charging through a puck-like induction pad. Samsung’s high-end phones have sported induction charging recently as well.
The big question is whether Apple will include a wireless charger in the box with next year’s iPhone, or whether it will be an accessory that is sold separately.
“While we as yet cannot say for certain whether wireless charger will be bundled with all 2017 new iPhones, we think a certain bundling rate is likely next year, with increases to come in 2018. This is because Apple has made significant efforts in support of wireless charging for iPhone,” Kuo wrote.
Last week, Kuo laid out the current plan the Asian supply chain is hearing for next year's iPhone, which is expected to launch in the third quarter of 2017.
"We predict three new iPhone models will be launched in 2017: 5.1-5.2" OLED, 4.7" TFT-LCD, and 5.5" TFT-LCD," Kuo wrote. All three models will be partially made out of glass casing, to enable wireless charging.
TFT-LCD is the current screen technology that iPhones use. OLED is a next-generation screen technology with deeper blacks and more accurate colors.
The highest-end iPhone will be the 5.1-inch OLED phone, with a "new look" stemming from a virtual home button and fingerprint.