IPHONE: Release date, price and more

Yes, we know, the iPhone 7 was only released in September. But with this year's model featuring only iterative upgrades, many Apple fans are already looking ahead to the iPhone 8.

2017 marks the tenth anniversary of the iPhone, which was first announced by Steve Jobs on 9 January 2007, and released later that year on June 29.

Given the momentous occasion, rumour has it that Apple has been holding back some of its most groundbreaking features for next year's model - which many expect to be called the iPhone 8.

Given the momentous occasion, rumour has it that Apple has been holding back some of its most groundbreaking features for next year's model - which many expect to be called the iPhone 8.

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According to a recent report in the Wall Street Journal , Apple is currently testing more than 10 different prototypes for its next smartphone - which many expect to be called the iPhone 8 .

At least one of these prototypes is said to feature a curved OLED display with practically no bezels - similar to that used on Samsung's Galaxy S7 Edge.

Although there is no functional reason to have a curved screen, Samsung has been seeing significantly higher sales of the curved versions of its Galaxy smartphones.

Release date

Apple traditionally releases its latest iPhone in the first two weeks of September, in good time for the start of the Christmas shopping season.

So far, there's nothing to suggest the company will break with tradition. That means we can expect Apple to unveil its new handset either the week of September 4 or September 11.

Then again, with it being a special anniversary, Apple may choose to pick a different date for the launch. If Apple is feeling particularly nostalgic, it may opt for June 29 - the same day the first iPhone was released.

Price

It's unlikely that Apple's iPhone 8 will be any easier on the wallet than previous models, but it may not be much more expensive.

In past years, Apple has launched its new handset at roughly the same price point as the previous model, and simultaneously knocked around £100 off the cost of the previous model.

Apple's 32GB iPhone 7 costs £599, while the iPhone 7 Plus starts at £719.

That should give you a fairly good idea of what the iPhone 8 will cost - although if it does get a major design ovehaul, we wouldn't be surprised if Apple increased the price a bit.

Name

Based on Apple's well-established "tick-tock" cycle, the 2017 model would be called the iPhone