A patent application filed by Apple last year suggested an iPhone powered laptop where the smartphone works as a host. On the other hand, customers may have a hard time in getting their hands on the iPhone 8 during its initial release.

Apple's Patent Application

According to an article at CNET, a US patent application was filed back in September and published on Thursday points to an accessory that looks like a traditional clamshell laptop, but has an iPhone-sized slot instead of a touchpad. As for how it works, the laptop-like shell would host an electronic host device, which appears to be an iPhone. Furthermore, the iPhone will handle the processing, wireless communication and touch input from the user, while the laptop will not do much but only provide power, a keyboard and display.

Apparently, this isn't the first time Apple has filed a patent similar to this, because back in 2004, the company has filed a patent application which features various ways on how to dock the iPod into a laptop and iMac. With this being said, though patents don't usually guarantee that there will be a product coming, it's speculated that this might come in the future, because a somewhat similar technology of this is already found on an Apple device, specifically the 2016 MacBook Pro's touch bar.

iPhone 8 To Sell-Out Quickly

The iPhone 8 which is said to feature an OLED display and an impressive screen-to-body ratio is expected to be released in September. However, buyers may have a hard time getting their hands on this premium device.

Phone Arena noted that despite the said device will be release in September, Barclays analysts predicted that the fancy iPhone 8 would likely not be widely available until the fourth quarter. It's also reported that both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be launched along with it as well, but there's no mention if they will share the same popularity.