{Apple To Ditch All-Metallic iPhone 7 Design [RUMOR

As Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) fans eagerly await the release of the iPhone 7, it seems that the device will retain the plastic strips of the iPhone 6. The previous iteration of the iPhone series features translucent plastic on the rear of the handset, and the latest reports indicate that this will be retained when the iPhone 7 is released.

iPhone 7 to retain plastic strips

This might come as something of a surprise, considering that Apple’s main rival Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) has attempted to move away from a plasticky feel in its recent mobile releases. Samsung was indeed criticized when theGalaxy S5 was released for producing a device that felt dated, and has since opted for a primarily metallic visage.

But the plastic strips involved in the iPhone design are a relatively minor aspect of the overall Apple smartphone, and thus it is not so controversial for Apple to continue with this design in the future. However, it had still been reported previously that Apple was in fact working on replacing these plastic tramlines, with the intention of producing an entirely metallic iPhone. The plastic is certainly not present for aesthetic reasons; they serve the purpose of allowing radio waves to penetrate the aluminum casing of the iPhone units.

Some observers of the Apple range have considered this plastic element of the design to be a little ugly, and this had motivated Apple to attempt to alter the construction of the iPhone 7. Apple has already filed a patent that indicates the company has developed a material constricted from a blend of metal oxides that serves the purpose of the plastic strips.

The patent states that the metal oxide looks and feels metallic, but still allows radio-frequency to pass through unimpeded. This would result in an iPhone 7 that could retain a premium all-metal appearance, without compromising the wireless quality which is obviously a key aspect of the smartphone.

iPhone 7 patent delayed

However, it appears that this technology will not be available in a requisite form in time to appear in the iPhone series. The iPhone 7 is expected to launch just next month, and it seems that Apple is still facing logistical and commercial difficulties with regard to including this technology in the iPhone series. So the dreams of an entirely metallic iPhone 7 are reportedly dead in the water, and this innovation will have to be delayed until 2016 at least.

Analysts are still bickering over whether or not the next generation iPhone will be named the iPhone 6S or iPhone 7, but some elements of this forthcoming smartphone have been pretty much decided. Apple always keeps extremely quiet on the subject of its device releases, but sources close to the Apple supply chain have confirmed significant amounts of information about this forthcoming flagship smartphone.