Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) 10th anniversary iPhone will be called the iPhone X and will feature facial recognition technology, a leak has revealed ahead of its official launch tomorrow.
The leak reported by Apple-based publications 9to5Mac and MacRumors revealed the company is planning on unveiling three new devices, including the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus.
The iPhone X is Apple’s premium version and is rumoured to be priced at close to US$1,000.
It will include a high-definition 5.8 inch OLED edge-to-edge display featuring accommodations for the front camera, earpiece and 3D sensors, the leak said.
iPhone 8 to feature 2GB of RAM, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X to pack 3GB https://t.co/Jwvh6zEaXf pic.twitter.com/RWhhg9lQAt
— 9to5Mac (@9to5mac) 11 September 2017
The device is reported to include facial recognition that can be used to unlock the phone and replaces the fingerprint scanner.
According to the leak, the iPhone X also has a messaging app called Animoji that uses the 3D technology to create emojis reflecting the user’s expression.
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus will be basic upgrades to the 7 and 7 Plus models and will feature wireless inductive charging, glass back panels and a new micro-processing chip, 9to5 Mac reported.
The leak is said to have come from a disgruntled Apple employee who wanted to sabotage the company.
“Someone within Apple leaked the list of URLs to 9to5Mac and MacRumors,” wrote blogger John Gruber of Daring Fireball.
“I’m nearly certain this wasn’t a mistake, but rather a deliberate malicious act by a rogue Apple employee. Whoever did this is the least-popular person in Cupertino. More surprises were spoiled by this leak than any leak in Apple history.”
Steve Troughton-Smith, an app developer from Ireland, also discovered the clues about the iPhone within the release of software code on Apple's final developer's update for the iOS 11 opearting system.
For whatever reason, the function button on the side of iPhone X references a Hall Effect sensor (like the iPad smart cover wake sensor)
— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) 11 September 2017
Just in case an iPhone X DeviceTree means anything to you: https://t.co/Ez69yOlZOi
— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) 11 September 2017
Ok, my eyes are bleeding from trying to read that DeviceTree, but based on what I'm seeing I don't see a TCon, so no ProMotion on iPhone X?
— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) 11 September 2017
The iOS 11 code also revealed the company's plans for a new Apple Watch and update to the AirPod wireless headphones.
The new devices are set to be unveiled at the company’s new headquarters in Cupertino, California.
Shares in Apple rose 1.24% to US$158.63 each in US pre-market trading.