A rumor of Apple introducing a curved glass iPhone began in March of this year. Apple has a few glass and curved glass iPhone patents on record (one, two and three) with a few of them using a liquid metal process to produce a strong design. Last month the Nikkei Asian Review reported that Foxconn was testing wireless charging modules for the 2017 anniversary iPhone. That was the first report that put wireless charging on the map concerning next year's iPhone. Today, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is advancing his own rumors set back in March and challenges the Foxconn connection for wireless charging.

It's being reported today that Apple will switch to an all-glass casing for next year's entire iPhone line-up in order to support wireless charging, with Pegatron being the exclusive supplier of the wireless charger."

Kuo specifically noted in his report thtt "We believe one of the reasons why new iPhones will switch from metal casing to glass casing is to support wireless charging. In order to ensure a superior performance, we believe it is most appropriate for EMS suppliers to develop and make the wireless charger because then a comprehensive test can be conducted. As Hon Hai needs to deploy most resources to develop and produce OLED iPhone, we expect Pegatron will be the exclusive supplier of the wireless charger."

Apple's pool of inductive/wireless charging patents could be reviewed here. MacRumors reports that it's unknown whether or not wireless chargers would be bundled with next year's iPhones, though history tells us that Apple will charge extra for it like it does any new accessory.

At this stage of iPhone 8 / anniversary iPhone rumors, I wouldn't rule out Foxconn just yet being associated with Apple's wireless charging modules being that Apple has a very close relationship with their top partner who wants an expanded role in the components in the iPhone.

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