Apple reportedly developing iPhone 8 in Israel

By NIV ELIS

Published: SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 00:46

Updated: SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 21:33

Apple's iPhone 6 (R) and iPhone 6 Plus. (photo credit: REUTERS) — Apple's iPhone 6 (R) and iPhone 6 Plus.

(photo credit: REUTERS)

The next iPhone may be blue and white.

According to an unconfirmed report in the Business Insider website, which cited an anonymous employee at Apple’s Israel office, the global tech giant is developing hardware for the next edition of its best-selling iPhone in Herzliya.

The article said the next generation would be called “iPhone 8” and launch next year, which would imply a change to Apple’s usual upgrade cycle. Apple generally announces a new generation of its phone every other year and introduces intermediary “S” models in the in-between years. The company just announced and launched the iPhone 7 this past month, so a skip to iPhone 8 hints that there will be no iPhone 7s.

Ever secretive, Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

In early 2015, Apple CEO Tim Cook paid a surprise visit to Israel to officially inaugurate the new Herzliya office, its largest R&D facility outside the US. Apple has been operating in Israel since 2012.

“We have an enormous admiration for Israel, not just as an important ally for the US, but as a place to do business,” he said at the time.

If the report is correct, Apple would not be the only giant company doing some of its core development in Israel.

Intel’s flagship chips were largely designed in its Haifa office, and companies including Microsoft, Cisco, Qualcomm and Google all have offices here.