When the back panel of the iPhone 6s leaked last year, I thought that it was fake, as the antenna bands looked ugly and didn’t think it would be approved by Jony Ive. But as you know, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus come with those thick gray or white antenna bands.
They don’t look as bad as they looked in the leaked photographs, but I still think the iPhone 6 would have looked even more gorgeous if they didn’t come with the antenna bands. In case you’re not aware, the antenna bands are required to wireless signals get through.
It looks like Apple has been listening, as a new patent suggests that the Cupertino-based company is working on a composite material that looks like anodized metal, but will still allow wireless signals get through. This means that the next generation iPhone could look a lot cleaner without affecting the quality of the wireless signals. Here a comparison photo of what the iPhone 6 will look like without the antenna bands.
From the patent:
The method includes converting a portion of a metal layer to a metal oxide layer that overlays an unconverted portion of the metal layer at a first surface of the metal oxide layer. The unconverted portion of the metal layer is viewable through the metal oxide layer. The method also involves exposing the first surface of the metal oxide layer by removing the unconverted portion of the metal layer. The method further involves forming the composite structure by applying an optically reflective layer that is substantially non-electrically capacitive on the exposed first surface of the metal oxide layer. The composite structure has the appearance of the anodized metal when viewed from a second surface of the metal oxide layer opposite the first surface.
It might be wishful thinking to expect Apple to incorporate the new composite material in the next iPhones, which have been unofficially dubbed iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, but let’s hope the 2017 iPhone 7 doesn’t come with them.
An earlier report claimed that Apple is also working on new displays for iPhones with an integrated fingerprint scanner, which means that Apple could potentially get rid of the Home button. An iPhone without the Home button and the antenna bands would be a significant upgrade in terms of design.
What do you think of the antenna bands? Do you like them?
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