The next iPhone, set to launch this September, was originally predicted to be a significant update. While it appears Apple has opted to keep this significant update for the iPhone’s 10th anniversary in 2017, this years iPhone, which may or may not be called the iPhone 7, has had the usual laundry list of rumors we see before iPhone launches.
Today, we’ll take a look at a number of these rumors, and determine if they are likely to happen, or just nonsense from the internet:
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The New Camera
The Rumor: The next iPhone Plus is said to be receiving a brand-new, duel-lens camera. The camera is said to be significantly ahead of other cameras in modern day smartphones, and could include better optical zoom, clearer and brighter photos, and better low-light shots. Additionally, the regular iPhone is said to receiving a new camera, with a significantly larger lens.
Results: True. Apple has long been rumored to be preparing this duel-lens camera system for the iPhone, as early back as 2014, and the addition of it on just about every iPhone leak so far makes it a sure thing.
The iPhone Pro
The Rumor: Apple will launch a third iPhone, the same size as the iPhone Plus, called the iPhone Pro. This device will be the only one to receive the updated camera system, and will also include a crazy spec-sheet to take advantage of it’s capabilities.
Results: False. The iPhone Plus already starts at $299. Having a third iPhone that would presumably start at $399, on par with an iPad, is a ridiculous concept. Additionally, releasing crazy-speced iPhone’s at a premium price ahead of those features reaching the regular iPhone could stunt growth.
Removal of the Headphone Port
The Rumor: Apple will remove the headphone jack, a standard that has been in use in technology for over a hundred years, from the upcoming iPhone. Users will either have to use bluetooth headphones or lightning earbuds. The company would include a pair of lightning earbuds in the box.
Results: True. Apple is removing the headphone jack on the upcoming iPhone. While the reasons aren’t fully clear yet, a few possibilities spring to mind. First, the lightning port is hypothetically capable of transmitting higher frequency audio than the current port. Another, Apple may want to push for bluetooth headphone usage to get more people listening to audio on their Apple Watch. Don’t make the mistake that this is about thinness, it’s not. The iPhone currently comes in at 7.1mm, while the iPod nano, which comes in at 5.4mm, currently has a headphone port.
32GB of Storage
The Rumor: Apple will bump the baseline iPhones storage from 16GB to 32GB across the board. This would presumably be to accommodate newer technology patterns, including increasing app sizes and the availability of 4K video recording to the iPhone. Additionally, the company would bump the other models as well, from 64GB to 128GB, and from 128GB to 256GB.
Results: True. Joanna Stern at the often-reliable Wall Street Journal has confirmed that the next iPhone will start at 32GB, with a 256GB model also becoming available.
New Color Options
The Rumor: Apple will trade the current ‘Space Grey’ iPhone color for a new darker color more in-line with what is found on the Apple Watch and iPad. Additionally, the company will launch a new dark blue color.
Results: False. All leaks point to the next ‘Space Grey’ iPhone keeping the color design as previous models, with not a single leak of a blue model as of this writing.
Smart Connector
The Rumor: Apple’s next iPhones will include a smart connector, similar to the one found on the bottom of the iPad Pro, on the back of the next models
Results: False. While some leaks seam to show these being present, many sources have deemed this concept fake. Most leaks coming out today seem to have lost the Smart Connector.
Force Touch Button
The Rumor: Apple’s next iPhone will ditch the traditional iPhone home-button for a new, Force Touch button. The button would look the same as the previous models, however would not actually click, instead simulating the feeling of a click when being pressed.
Results: Probably true. Some of the ways the new iOS 10 betas interact with the iPhone, including the new unlocking mechanism, support this concept. Many of the recent leaks also appear to show a force touch button.
Longer Battery Life
The Rumor: The next iPhone is said to feature a 1,940 mAh battery on the non-plus model, 14 percent larger than the 1,715 mAh battery found on the iPhone 6s.
Results: True. According to information learned by OnLeaks, this is happening.
Release Date
The Rumor: Apple’s next iPhone will launch the week of September 12.
Results: Maybe. While Apple’s iPhones usually launch the Friday after the event takes place, Apple broke this pattern last year. Assuming an event the first Wednesday of September, September 7, to accommodate for Labor Day, Apple’s new iPhone would by that logic launch on the 16th. However, last year’s Apple Event was also delayed by Labor Day, resulting in an event on the 9th and a launch on September 25. It’s possible the launch may end up on the 23rd.
What are some of the other rumors that you think are going to stay as rumors when it comes to iPhone 7?