The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are currently Apple's most advanced smartphones, but Apple are already working on an update. Tipped to have Force Touch technology - shown on the Apple Watch - an upgraded A9 processor and Bendgate-resilient construction, the iPhone 7 (6s) could be the best yet.
Still several months out from its expected release, there's very little to go on, but predictions from trusted analysts and a look at Apple's previous form could hold answers.
Although Apple could skip straight to the 7, it's looking more likely that the company will be launching a new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus this year.
Latest rumour: Apple to bring Force Touch to iOS 9, suggesting it will be incorporated into the next iPhone
According to 9to5Mac, which has an excellent track record with Apple rumours, the "iPhone 6S" will be getting support for Force Touch on its screen. The technology, which is already available in the Apple Watch and new MacBook, allows users to press harder on a trackpad or touch screen in order to bring up additional menu items or functionality. For example, Force Touch in Apple Maps will allow a user to press harder on the screen to drop a pin for navigation, or pressing hard on a word to bring up a definition.
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iPhone 7 (6s) will be revealed in August, analyst claims
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said to his clients the iPhone 7 (6s) will be anounced at a launch event ahead of Apple's usual September conference and launch date. Kuo also claims Foxconn will manufacture 60 - 70% of the new iPhones.
Interestingly, Apple has never taken such path towards launching a new iPhone. Usually the Californian tech company launches a new iPhone at a September conference with a launch weeks later. Perhaps Kuo has insider knowledge on what we can expect from Apple, but for now we'd file this in the rumours department instead of concrete evidence of Apple's motives.
Force Touch and an A9 processor could keep the iPhone 7 (6s) ahead of the competition.
After the release of the Apple Watch, one of its first all-new products under the leadership of Tim Cook, Apple is now preparing to update the iPhone 6. So what’s in store? According to the trusted KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in a note to investors, the iPhone 6s and 6 Plus s will be receiving an incremental update, typical of previous S models.
Force Touch and an A9 processor will debut in the iPhone 7 (6s)
Already seen on the Apple Watch and Apple’s most recent MacBooks, Force Touch is tipped to be on its way to the new iPhone. Able to measure different pressures, Apple has used the feature on the Apple Watch to make better use of its limited screen size – and on the latest MacBooks to expand on multi-touch gestures. Far from a gimmick, Force Touch offers an easy secondary click to touchscreen devices, the ability to support handwritten signatures and has more potential that’s just waiting to be unlocked.
Contrary to other reports, Kuo believes Apple will stick to its 4.7in and 5.5in screen sizes, rejecting the reintroduction of a 4in screen.
As you’d expect, the iPhone 6s and 6 Plus is also rumoured to receive a speed bump, much like the 5s before it. This time using the Samsung made A9 processor, the new iPhone could benefit from an upgraded 2GB of LPDDR4 ram. The camera resolution is also likely to be increased to 12 megapixels, with the upgraded 6 Plus possibly receiving a sapphire lens cover.
Improved Touch ID and the end of Bendgate
Introduced on the iPhone 5s in September 2013, Touch ID is now available on every mobile Apple device, but the company is hoping to improve print recognition in its latest handset. Already one of the the best fingerprint recognition systems, Apple is pushing for even better accuracy - making Apple Pay a more viable, foolproof payment method.
As well as an extra microphone for improved call quality, the new iPhone 6s will also be available in Rose Gold - great news for the lucky few with a Rose Gold Apple Watch Edition. Kuo’s predictions also suggest that Apple will attempt to leave Bendgate behind them by using stronger case materials this time round.
Kuo goes on to predict production could start around around August, pointing again to a September release like the previous s model. Like the Apple iPhone 5s, the subtle improvements predicted wouldn’t make the 6s essential for owners of the 6 – but could make it an attractive upgrade for owners of any older models.
Could the iPhone 7 turn out like this?
Following on from the news of dual camera technology potentially coming to iPhone 7, concept artist Martin Hajek and Computer Build.tv put together a video of what he expects Apple's new smartphone to turn out like.
While pure speculation, Hajek believes the iPhone 7 will stick to a similar design as the iPhone 6 with a smattering of new features. While Touch ID still exists, Hajek has integrated it directly into the display, moving the phone speaker, Face Time camera and proximity sensor to the phone's top edge. He also believes we'll see Apple replace it's antenna bars with an "antenna ring" and make use of the rumoured dual-camera technology.
Hajek's work is certainly sleeker than the proposed Digital Crown design of Antonio De Rosa, but it's still unlikely to become true. While the dual-camera technology could come to fruition thanks to Apple's acquisition of LinX, it's highly unlikely Apple would have curved corners to its screen, or integrate the Touch ID sensor into the display. It also wouldn't feature a glowing apple logo, instead opting for the usual metal finish with the iPhone 6's NFC chip underneath.
Still, it's a great way to imagine what the future of the iPhone could be.
iPhone 7: release date
The iPhone 7 or 6s and its Plus counterpart are likely to be introduced at a special event in San Francisco around 8 September 2015.
Why then? Because it's in line with the company's usual pattern of unveiling its new handsets on the second Tuesday in September each year.
We believe it's likely to go on sale in the UK ten days later, on 18 September. You can pretty much guarantee there will be a new iPhone in the stores before the end of September. If we're wrong about this, we'll be very very surprised.
iPhone 7 : price
While there's no confirmed price for Apple's upcoming iPhone, we believe it will be around the $650 mark for the standard model, and $750 for the Plus version.
Since the iPhone 4, Apple's handset has launched at roughly the same price of $649. Judging from past experience, it's likely the iPhone 7 or 6s will also start at $649. As we've had less experience with Plus pricing, seeing as only one iteration of the model exists, it's more likely Apple could revise its pricing structure. However, you can safely expect it to retail around the $700-$750 mark.
