2018 Apple iPhone could see return of this much-missed feature

Apple fans put off by the iPhone X's and iPhone 8's fragile all-glass design may be appeased by rumours circulating that the metal body will return in 2018.

According to Nikkei Asian Reviewing, Apple is building a 6.1-inch LCD iPhone that will be housed in the familiar aluminium casing from previous models. The metal back first appeared on the iPhone 5 in 2012 but disappeared this year in the 8, 8 Plus and X models, to allow for wireless charging.

"The 6.1-inch LCD model will probably sport a metal back available in several colours," a source told Nikkei Asian Reviewing.

It is not yet known how reverting to a metal body would affect charging, however it is assumed the feature would need to be removed. The glass design of the new models, while attractive, has drawn ire from fans as being too fragile.

Apple's extended warranty and insurance will cover owners from two incidents of accidental damage, but anyone game enough to skip the coverage will face paying £286.44 to replace a broken screen or £556.44 for any other damage (which would be a full phone replacement).

The site is also reporting that Apple will unveil two new OLED models in 2018, including an iPhone X sized phone with a 5.8-inch display. The other model is rumoured to be a massive 6.3-inch OLED iPhone X plus-style variant.

The news is similar to information reportedly leaked two weeks after the iPhone X launched. According to KGI securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will look to roll out three iPhone X-style phones next year – all of which will not have a home button. And while the sources agree on the 5.8-inch OLED and 6.1-inch LCD models, Kuo believed the larger "iPhone X Plus" would stretch the display to a 6.5 inches.