The iPhone 7 Plus has a MAJOR advantage over the iPhone 7 - plus release date, price and specs rumours
Here's everything you need to know about the iPhone 7, which should launch September 2016
When Apple first moved to two new models
of iPhone, the regular size and the larger Plus, the differences between
the two were rather minor. With the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, the
bigger model looks as though it's going to be majorly different to its
little brother. In photos of a case, obtained by 9to5Mac, the iPhone 7
Plus, complete with renders of the phone, the Plus model has a larger
camera cut out for the dual-camera design. The flash and microphone have
been moved into a horizontal line with the lenses, too. The regular
iPhone 7 model doesn't have this mode, sticking with a regular camera
instead. This will certainly make the iPhone 7 Plus a more premium
product and, most likely, the one of choice for those that want the best
camera.
The images also show that the iPhone 7 Plus will have the Smart
Connector, as used with the iPad Pro. This has been rumoured before,
but I'm totally at a loss as to what it could be used for: a smart
keyboard cover on this size device really doesn't seem very useful and,
at the moment, there are no other devices that use this connector.
There's a chance that this connector will be removed, with some rumours
suggesting that the production model has ditched this already. We'll
have to wait for more information to find out for certain. Neither case
shows a headphone socket, but that's not a forgone conclusion. Check out
the information below for more on the headphone saga.
Intriguingly, the camera is shown having a protective metal ring
around it, which suggests that Apple has not managed to find a way to
remove the bump altogether. There's a second hole on between the flash
and the camera lens, too. There are suggestions that this is for laser
focus, but we'll have to wait to see for certain.
The image also suggests that, if Apple is planning to release a dual-lens model, that it will a separate iPhone 7 Pro. That's rather a shame, if true, as I'd like to see the same camera tech included on all models. Of course, there's the distinct possibility that this shot is fake and just a digitally-altered version of the iPhone 6S.
Intriguingly, there's not enough space for dual cameras, with only a single hole in the case. Look a little closer and you'll see that the camera hole is considerably larger than on previous iPhone models. This seems to make it clear that we are getting a camera upgrade of sorts: perhaps a larger lens and sensor are in the works.
There's a secondary option, though, which is that Apple will have a THIRD model, called the iPhone 7 Pro. This model will have a dual-lens camera. We've even seen pictures of what the phone might look like, posted on Makotakara. Interestingly, the images seem to show that new model will also have the iPad Pro's Smart Connector, too, which raises the potential that the phone will be able to connect to, as yet unveiled peripherals.
Sadly, the iPhone 7 will definitely not get OLED. We're too far along and the supply chain has already kicked into gear in order to manufacture enough models for the September release date. But, we most likely won't have to wait until 2018 and the iPhone 8 for OLED, as Apple has apparently boosted its OLED plans and wants to release an iPhone (most likely the iPhone 7S) with an OLED display in 2017. According to Apple Insider, Apple is way ahead of schedule and the improved display technology should be with us a lot sooner than we expected.
Given that the iPhone 7 is said to be Apple's thinnest phone yet, how has it found more room inside the case? Well, there's certainly some room saved by ditching the headphone socket and using the Lightning adaptor only. On top of that, continued miniaturisation of components, such as the processor, will leave more room inside the case. Finally, there's a good chance that Apple will have worked out how to save room with its 3D Touch components, too. It's hard to say what this will do for battery life: I'd expect at least the same as from the iPhone 6 (around 13hours in our video playback test), but you may see better performance due to a more efficient processor and OS.
Using multiple sensors means that LinX sensors can measure depth, which can help speed up auto-focus or simply let you focus the shot after you've taken it, as we've seen before with HTC's Duo camera. It's also possible for the cameras to scan objects in 3D and give accurate measurements for objects, too. We've seen similar technology inside the Dell Venue 8 7840 tablet, although it's measurement capabilities were a bit hit and miss.
LinX sensors also use a new clear pixel channel design, which the company says reduces crosstalk and helps reduce noise, all in a smaller package. The net result is a smaller camera that's smarter and produces cleaner and more detailed images: just the thing that Apple requires. For more information on the LinX technology, you can read this Scribd presentation.
Images of the iPhone 7 leak
Further evidence that the iPhone 7 won't be too different to the iPhone 6S or iPhone 6S Plus has come out, with MobiPicker showing a shot of what's allegedly Apple's new phone. Users of the existing iPhone will recognise the phone immediately, as there's very little different. The image reinforces the rumours that have leaked so far. Aside from the similar design, Apple is said to have redesigned the antenna strips, making the rear one continuous sheet of metal; with the existing design, the iPhone has plastic strips breaking up the design.
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The image also suggests that, if Apple is planning to release a dual-lens model, that it will a separate iPhone 7 Pro. That's rather a shame, if true, as I'd like to see the same camera tech included on all models. Of course, there's the distinct possibility that this shot is fake and just a digitally-altered version of the iPhone 6S.
What you need to know, quickly
Need the information fast - here's everything you need in a quick, bite-sized digest. Obviously, everything here is based on unconfirmed rumours, so things can change quickly, but the below is, at least, a quick view of how things stand at this point in time.
What is it? |
Apple's brand new smartphone, complete with a new design and the successor to 2015's iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus |
When is it out? |
If Apple sticks to its normal release schedule, and it tends to, then we should see it late September 2016 |
What's new? |
The phones are likely to look very similar to the current model, but will have slightly bigger batteries, while a dual-lens camera looks set to appear on at least on model |
In Detail
iPhone 7 release date
If there's been one reliable thing about Apple's iPhone launches, it's that they happen just once a year. Given that the iPhone 6S was launched in September 2015, a year after the iPhone 6, it doesn't take a genius to work out that the iPhone 7 will come in September 2016.The headphone socket saga
Apple was absolutely definitely set to kill off the headphone jack and force us all to move to Lightning headphones (or use an adaptor). But, in the fast-paced world of rumours, Apple may now have had an about turn, as it looks likely that the iPhone 7 will have a headphone jack after all. According to leaked component photos shown on nowhereelse.fr, the new phone will have the headphone port. In many ways, this makes sense, as the iPhone 7 looks set to be similar in size to the iPhone 6S, rather than being super slim. In other words, space is not a constraint and, if you've got the room for a 3.5mm jack, why not fit one?
There's a rumour that Apple will go wireless, with rumours that the
company is now working on wireless AirPods. These Bluetooth powered
headphones are said to be little bigger than the buds themselves. To me,
if Apple is creating these, it feels as though they'll be an optional
extra, as they would be too expensive to bundle.
Design
When the iPhone 7 rumours started to appear, the one thing that seemed certain was that Apple was ready to introduce a brand new design. However, leaks have started to show that this most likely isn't the case. First, leaked photos, posted on nowhereelse.fr, show the iPhone 7 case for the first time. The image, which you can see below, shows the iPhone 7's chassis for the first time. It's a shot of a design document, taken by pointing a camera at a monitor, so the detail isn't very clear; however, from this image, we can see that the new phone looks similar to the existing iPhone 6/6S, except there are no antenna lines on the back breaking up the design. Instead, a thin antenna strip at the bottom is all that's needed: that certainly makes the new phone look neater.Intriguingly, there's not enough space for dual cameras, with only a single hole in the case. Look a little closer and you'll see that the camera hole is considerably larger than on previous iPhone models. This seems to make it clear that we are getting a camera upgrade of sorts: perhaps a larger lens and sensor are in the works.
There's a secondary option, though, which is that Apple will have a THIRD model, called the iPhone 7 Pro. This model will have a dual-lens camera. We've even seen pictures of what the phone might look like, posted on Makotakara. Interestingly, the images seem to show that new model will also have the iPad Pro's Smart Connector, too, which raises the potential that the phone will be able to connect to, as yet unveiled peripherals.
Display
It looks as though we're going to be stuck with LCD displays with the same size and resolution as today. That's a 4.7in model with a resolution of 1,334x720 and a 5.5in model with a resolution of 1,920x1,080. Now, the resolution doesn't bother me and the iPhone doesn't need more resolution: the displays really are sharp enough. However, a move to OLED would improve quality and help battery life.Sadly, the iPhone 7 will definitely not get OLED. We're too far along and the supply chain has already kicked into gear in order to manufacture enough models for the September release date. But, we most likely won't have to wait until 2018 and the iPhone 8 for OLED, as Apple has apparently boosted its OLED plans and wants to release an iPhone (most likely the iPhone 7S) with an OLED display in 2017. According to Apple Insider, Apple is way ahead of schedule and the improved display technology should be with us a lot sooner than we expected.
Bigger battery incoming
One of the minor issues that Expert Reviews had with the iPhone 6S was that it had a smaller battery than the iPhone 6, which meant that it lasted less time from a single charge in our tests. Well, Apple has clearly taken complaints from users to heart and for the iPhone 7 it's upping the battery size. Leaked shots were featured on MacRumours allegedly show the new battery for the iPhone 7. You can clearly see in the image below that the battery is a 7.04watt-hour model, which is up from the 6.61watt-hour model on the iPhone 6S and similar to the 7.01watt-hour battery on the iPhone 6.Given that the iPhone 7 is said to be Apple's thinnest phone yet, how has it found more room inside the case? Well, there's certainly some room saved by ditching the headphone socket and using the Lightning adaptor only. On top of that, continued miniaturisation of components, such as the processor, will leave more room inside the case. Finally, there's a good chance that Apple will have worked out how to save room with its 3D Touch components, too. It's hard to say what this will do for battery life: I'd expect at least the same as from the iPhone 6 (around 13hours in our video playback test), but you may see better performance due to a more efficient processor and OS.
Camera
Dual-lens cameras are said to be coming to the phones, although whether it's all models or just the high-end 'Pro', we don't know. We've got an idea of what to expect, thanks to information from LinX, which Apple bought for $20m, according to the Wall Street Journal. This startup has been developing sensors that it says will bring SLR-like quality to smartphones. It has developed sensor arrays that use multiple sensors, alongside bespoke optics and image processing, to improve image quality.Using multiple sensors means that LinX sensors can measure depth, which can help speed up auto-focus or simply let you focus the shot after you've taken it, as we've seen before with HTC's Duo camera. It's also possible for the cameras to scan objects in 3D and give accurate measurements for objects, too. We've seen similar technology inside the Dell Venue 8 7840 tablet, although it's measurement capabilities were a bit hit and miss.
LinX sensors also use a new clear pixel channel design, which the company says reduces crosstalk and helps reduce noise, all in a smaller package. The net result is a smaller camera that's smarter and produces cleaner and more detailed images: just the thing that Apple requires. For more information on the LinX technology, you can read this Scribd presentation.
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