Apple's iPhone 7 Already Looming, What Rumours Can Be Trusted?
Got yourself a fancy iPhone 6S with emergency selfie functionality? That's cool. Want to know what's even cooler? Apple's iPhone 7. It's time to start turning your love for the iPhone 6 into shame and then outright scorn because, well, it's not an iPhone 7 is it? No it isn't.
The 6S model only launched back in September and already the wheels of technological progress are creaking straight onto the next major leap in iPhone model. Naturally rumours are coming thick and fast about the new Apple product that demands the adulation of millions and merciless queues outside official Apple stores to prove your brand piety. So what are the insiders saying?
When Can We Expect It?
Well now that's always a hard one to nail down. It's believed that this September 2016 is the culprit for the next iPhone as that's when previous models have hit and turned our lives upside-down.The iPhone 5 came out September 21st, 2012 with the iPhone 6 September 19th, 2014 and so the middle of September this year looks good following the pattern.
Pricing
The usual price range is expected with iPhone 7 probably starting around £540 and ballooning to £700 depending on the exact model.
What's Under The Hood?
There are hardly super-duper concrete facts to go on just yet but there are some pretty strong rumours doing the rounds. One of the talking points is the new design which is said to be similar to the iPhone 6S but with some key differences. The camera is believed to sit better to the casing and the antenna lines are thought to be gone. The best part is the alleged steps Apple is taking to beef up the phone's physical strength and waterproofing, which is something Samsung has been running with in the latest Galaxy series.
The next iPhone will also boast 3GB RAM if those same tech rumours hold true. The 3.5mm headphone jack is possibly for the chopping block which would let Apple engineers slim the iPhone 7 down further. That's mixed news as while a thinner phone is nice it does mean the vast majority of people's favourite headphones will be incompatible. Lightning-compatible or wireless might be the only option. There are rumblings that Apple's EarPods won't be sold as part of the package with the phone but separately. Bit of a money grab if so.
Two versions of the iPhone 7 are expected; a 4.7 inch standard 7 and a later 5.5 inch 7S.
Out With The Old
More pixels? A higher screen resolution understandably is also getting talked up but nothing has corroborated it thus far. 3D Touch technology isn't going anywhere and could even spell the end of the traditional home button at the bottom of the phone.
Another interesting development is the alleged coup going on by Intel to boot out Qualcomm's 9X45 LTE chip for their 7360 LTE chipset. There's as many as a thousand Intel employees that are said to be spearheading the initiative.
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding is, while unconfirmed, reportedly getting more investment by Apple as they seek to protect the smartphone from those pesky electromagnetic waves. This could give a serious performance boost to the iPhone 7 in terms of reception and wi-fi, and help the doomsayers about all that electromagnetic junk affecting a user's health. Apple is said to have found South Korean partners known for their work in EMI shielding as proof they're moving ahead with it for the iPhone 7.
Mono Is So Last iPhone
The all important selfie economy can rest easy as the iPhone 7's camera is reportedly getting a boost too. A dual rear camera is rumoured that will utilise Linx technology that Apple acquired in 2015. This is believed to be limited to the 5.5 inch plus model and not the smaller 4.7 inch. This would mean a major departure between the standard and plus models in more physical terms. Sony is expected to fulfil the camera side of things for Apple's new iPhone 7, providing a 12MP module.
Wireless charging is not expected to be coming with the iPhone 7 but could debut with the 7S. The 16GB model of the smartphone may also finally be done away with, although this was expected to occur with the 6S. The other big leap for the iPhone 7 is the arrival of Apple's iOS 10 operating system which would be an excellent opportunity and is due at the Worldwide Developers Conference this year, which typically falls in June at the Moscone West convention center in San Francisco, California.
Apple's iPhone 7 is expected to be in stores this September 2016 price between £540 to £700. We'll be keeping tabs as things develop.
