iPhone 7
With the March 21 introduction of the 4-inch iPhone SE now in the rear-view mirror, we have turned our speculative focus to the forthcoming iPhone 7, expected to materialize sometime later this year. In a TV interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer in early May, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that the iPhone 7 will have a killer feature: "We are going to give you things that you can't live without, that you just don't know you need today."
So, a pretty high bar has now been set. And to be clear: we have no hard info. But between assumptions and the new expectations set by Cook, we paint below a portrait of the most intriguing gossip about Apple's next big thing.
Editors' note: This story was originally posted on December 14, 2015 and last updated on May 8, 2016.
Announcement and release dates
According to Apple's traditional cadence, iPhone models always debut in the fall. That changed on March 21, 2016, with the introduction of the iPhone SE, a new model that combines the look of the iPhone 5S with the soul of theiPhone 6S.
That noted, the iPhone SE is a relatively minor, mid-cycle update that brings little to the table in terms of design, features, or specs. Given this, there remains a pervasive expectation that we'll see the next major iPhone update, right on schedule, in the fall of 2016.
Could Apple flip the script and bring out a new iPhone at its Worldwide Developer's Conference, which it recently confirmed is scheduled to begin on June 13, 2016? Highly unlikely.
Design
For the past several years, Apple's iPhone updates have followed a predictable cycle: major design changes in even-numbered years, followed by "under the hood" tech upgrades that keep the same basic physical chassis in odd-numbered "S phone" years. For 2016, then, a total redesign is a near certainty -- possibly with some dramatic innovations.
However, the iPhone 7 may buck this trend. According to Barclays analyst Mark Moskowitz, supply chain murmurs indicate that the iPhone 7 won't have "any must-have form factor changes," suggesting that we'll see only a few modest refinements and perhaps some newer internal components. In this vein, MacRumors has suggested that the iPhone 7 will have a design that's "very similar" to that of theiPhone 6 and 6S, though without the antenna bands that run across the current generation. And we still expect the company to release two versions of the phone -- ostensibly, a standard-sized, 4.7-inch iPhone 7 and larger 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus.
Given the regularity with which folks drop phones in toilets and other bodies of water, could Apple develop a water-resistant or waterproof chassis? (By the way, here's what to do when it inevitably happens to you.) Other manufacturers have already gone there, of course: Samsung with the Galaxy S5, Sony with its Z5 Premium and Motorolawith its entry-level Moto G. Still, the fact thatSamsung did not make the Galaxy S6waterproof suggests that it's not a critical feature for most consumers.
In recent months, multiple sources (of varying reliability) have reported that the iPhone 7 will be waterproof and dustproof.Business Insider reports that Apple has filed for a new waterproofing-related patent. Titled "Electronic Device with Hidden Connector," the application suggests that ports could be covered with a "self-healing elastomer." According to the patent description, iPhone ports equipped with this technology would be covered with membranes, which could be penetrated by aheadphone or USB connector, for example, and which would seal back up once the connector is withdrawn.
Building on this narrative, 9to5Mac has reported that Apple is developing a new set of Bluetooth earphones that could be introduced simultaneously with the iPhone 7. The fruit of the company's acquisition of Beats Electronics, the new earphones, potentially called "AirPods," are rumored to be completely wireless, similar to theMotorola Hint.
One of the more interesting iPhone 7 predictions involves a move away from the physical home button. As CNET reported earlier, recent iPhone innovations -- specifically the pressure-sensitive 3D Touch screen and increasing always-on hands-free functionality of Siri -- have diminished the need for it, and that a buttonless iPhone would be a natural move for a company with such a strong preference for clean lines as well as simple design. That would also allow the large top and bottom bezels to shrink, effectively allowing Apple to squeeze a larger screen into the same size body. The trick, of course, would be keeping the all-important Touch ID fingerprint sensor somehow integrated into the device.
Note that the melodramatic iPhone 7 "leaked concept" video in circulation on social media has been flagged as a fake. The video shows a cleansuit-clad employee, ostensibly of Foxconn, one of Apple's longtime suppliers, handling a home button-less iPhone 7 until, offscreen, someone shouts, "Hey!". Nice try, folks.
Security
Though security hasn't often been a major focus of the iPhone rumor mill, the biggest Apple story of 2016 involved Apple's battle with the FBI over just that. The Financial Times reported that Apple is working on ways to encrypt data stored via its iCloud service, which could further frustrate law enforcement agencies in investigations. And according to the New York Times, Apple engineers are now working on new security measures to prevent iPhone-hacking.
One hopes that this development will bring security closer to the fore for both smartphone consumers and manufacturers. If nothing else, it's an issue with all kinds of interesting ramifications for issues ranging from the iPhone's user interface to its privacy settings.
Display
There is a particularly durable rumor about a sapphire display, which would offer a higher degree of scratch and shatter-resistance than the current models' Gorilla Glass. In fact, the higher-end Apple Watch models have sapphire displays -- as well as OLED technology that provides best-in-class black levels, contrast and colors on a growing assortment of smartphones (including the Samsung Galaxy S7).
In fact, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo at KGI Securities predicts that Apple may revamp its lineup of iPhones next year to include a new curved display. The new iPhone screen will be based on active matrix organic light-emitting diode, or AMOLED, which offer several advantages over the LCD (liquid crystal display) screens currently used in iPhones. OLED displays are thinner, lighter and more flexible than LCDs. They're also more power efficient, giving you more bang out of a single battery charge. Earlier reports predicted that Apple would switch to OLED displaysin 2018. Either way, this will likely debut on whatever model succeeds the iPhone 7.
Connections
One of the most most widely speculated upon topics to date involves the connectivity standards the iPhone 7 will support. Rumor has it that Apple may potentially omit the 3.5mm headphone jack, a standard on every preceding iPhone, in favor of an all-in-one Lightning connector. This would accommodate a thinner chassis -- perhaps shaving off as much as one millimeter. And there is fact to support this thesis: Philips showed off Lightning-only headphones earlier in 2015, though they apparently have yet to be released.
According to Barclays analysts, however, as reported by AppleInsider, the iPhone 7 will indeed omit a 3.5mm headphone jack. But, in its traditional place will be a second speaker, powered by an amp manufactured by Cirrus Logic. The analysts also countered recent rumors suggesting that the iPhone 7 would have dynamic noise cancellation, suggesting that it will use a digital codec instead.
For a moment, the prospect of a Smart Connector surfaced as a possibility, but that appears to have faded. So how about swapping out Lightning for USB Type-C? Despite its growing ubiquity as the standard for other smartphones, tablets and PCs, it feels unlikely. Yes, Apple made USB-C the only connector in its 2015MacBook revamp, but the company has elsewhere doubled-down on Lightning in the past year, adding it to new Mac accessories, Beats speakers, the iPad Pro's Pencil accessory and the new iPhone Smart Battery Case.
The iPhone SE, 6S, and 6S Plus all come equipped with NFC to enable the contactless Apple Pay system. And yet Apple has yet to support the tap-to-pair capability of other NFC-enabled smartphones, which allow a user to tap a headphone or speaker to pair via Bluetooth. There was chatter about the possibility of enhanced NFC support in iOS 9, but it did not come to pass. Perhaps with the next generation.
Components
The iPhones equipped with A9 processors -- the SE, 6S and 6S Plus -- are all red-hot performers, showing off the improved speed of their 64-bit dual-core processors. And as each successive iPhone generation is expected to deliver improved speed, we expect to see an A10 chip powering the iPhone 7. Likewise, just as the 6S and 6S Plus (and SE) got a bump in RAM from 1GB to 2GB, it's not unreasonable to expect to see an iPhone 7 that comes equipped with 4GB of RAM.
In 2014, Apple doubled the top two tiers of the iPhone from 32GB and 64GB to 64GB and 128GB, but kept pricing the same. (The entry-level model remained at 16GB.) The company kept the same capacities for its 2015 line and 2016's SE model. Will it finally offer 32GB on the baseline model? Anything's possible, but getting customers to pay up for the 64GB model may betoo much of a profit incentive to give up.
Related to the waterproofing rumors summarized above, the Commercial Times (viaDigiTimes), reports that the iPhone 7 will contain "new compound materials" that will help hide the antenna, which is currently housed in bands on the back of the phone.
According to multiple sources, including a CLSA Securities analyst, Intel will provide 30 to 40 percent of the iPhone 7's modem supply -- specifically, the Intel 7360 LTE, which supports 450 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload speeds.
Another story that has surfaced involves the possibility of the iPhone 7 -- or perhaps the subsequent generation -- supporting wireless charging. (Barclays analyst Mark Moskowitz has predicted that Apple reserve this innovation for the iPhone 8.) One potential narrative has Apple narrowing connectivity to a single Lightning port, making it impossible to charge the phone and use wired headphones simultaneously. Hence: wireless charging. Mmmm...we'll see.
Camera
Many sources reported that there would be a significant step up in quality with the iPhone 6S's camera; a 10-megapixel camera and a two-lens DSLR-style camera were presented as two distinct possibilities. And though the 6S upped the standard iPhone's game with a much improved front-facing camera, only the 6S Plus features optical image stability capabilities that deliver higher quality photos and video in low light environments.
In mid-March 2016, Taiwanese site Apple.club.tw posted what it says are images of a dual-camera module that it says will be included on the iPhone 7 Plus. Since then, sources have reported that the dual lens array will be available only on the 5.5-inch Plus version and not the base iPhone 7 model.
There might also be technology leveraging Apple's 2015 acquisition of Israeli technology company LinX Imaging, which has developed smaller sensors that can deliver DSLR-quality images with optical zoom and improved performance in darker environments.
Scroll down for a reverse-chronological look at the latest rumors.
May 5, 2016
Tim Cook: The iPhone 7 will give us "things we can't live without"
Apple Music and iTunes are getting a revamp, the Apple Watch is just getting started and Phil Schiller teaches us Apple grammar rules.
May 3, 2016
The iPhone 7 headphone jack dies, comes back to life -- again
Will Apple's iPhone 7 have a headphone jack? Only Apple knows, but the rumor mill keeps churning with all sorts of theories. The latest: It's staying. But wait till next week and it may be dead again.
April 26, 2016
Apple's iPhone 7 problem
Commentary: Apple needs the next iPhone to be a hit. But the technology for a truly knockout upgrade may be more than a year away.
April 24, 2016
Apple predicted an iPhone sales drop. Here it comes
The company probably saw weak demand for its top-selling product in its fiscal second quarter, setting the stage for a tough 2016 for CEO Tim Cook and his team.
April 21, 2016
Apple's iPhone 7 Won't Be A 'Must-Have'
If you're hoping for a major iPhone upgrade this year, you'll be sorely disappointed, one analyst says.
April 18, 2016
Apple confirms WWDC 2016 developers conference begins June 13
Apple announces dates for this year's developer conference in San Francisco, confirming what we learned earlier from the company's own digital assistant.
March 27, 2016
Apple's iPhone may get new screen, wireless charging next year
The popular smartphone may get a complete makeover in 2017, a year earlier than previously predicted, according to a reliable Apple analyst.
March 22, 2016
Here's the new iPhone lineup
Apple made some new additions and cuts to its phone lineup. Here's a quick glance at the available models and their pricing.
March 21, 2016
Meet the 4-inch iPhone SE: Like the iPhone 6S, only smaller and cheaper
Apple brings back the smaller iPhone for less, but doesn't skimp on internal processing power.
March 14, 2016
Photo leak: iPhone 7 Plus dual camera lens
Taiwanese site Apple.club.tw has published photos of a double-lens camera that the site says will be featured on the iPhone 7 Plus.
March 4, 2016
Intel to Make 'Significant Portion' of the iPhone 7's LTE Modems
March 3, 2016
Apple Planning to Debut OLED iPhone in 2017
Next year may see Apple switch its iPhone display from LCD to OLED, a move that would offer consumers several benefits, according to news site Nikkei.
February 25, 2016
Apple to beef up customers' iCloud encryption
Apple is working on new ways to strengthen the encryption of customers' iCloud backups in a way that would make it impossible for the company to comply with valid requests for data from law enforcement.
February 24, 2016
Apple said to be working on unhackable iPhone
Stronger encryption might be aimed at heading off the next battle with the US government over gaining access to iPhones.
February 16, 2016
iPhone 7 Said to Expand Use of Single-Chip Electromagnetic Shielding
Apple is working on electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding that will help maintain performance as its power, complexity, and potential for interference increases.
February 12, 2016
iPhone 7 might add second speaker
Apple's next-generation iPhone, expected to abandon a 3.5mm headphone jack, will probably replace the part with a second speaker, according to a Barclays research memo obtained by AppleInsider.
February 4, 2016
iPhone 7 rumors point to a flush rear camera and cleaner all-metal look
New rumors suggest that the new iPhone 7 will closely resemble the iPhone 6 and 6s.
February 3, 2016
Sony's Dual Camera to See Inclusion in Devices From 'Major Smartphone Players'
Sony, the manufacturer behind many of the camera sensors used in Apple's iOS devices, recently confirmed that its dual-lens camera platform will be featured in devices from "major smartphone players" in 2016.
January 29, 2016
Apple's working on long-range wireless charging for the iPhone (Apple Byte podcast)
The iPhone 7 could bring a new dual-lens camera.
January 28, 2016
The iPhone 7 Plus looks to bring a dual lens camera
A report claims there are two 5.5 inch versions of iPhone 7 Plus -- one with a single eye sight camera and another with a dual camera design.
January 27, 2016
iPhone 7 Plus may beckon with two rear-facing cameras
Apple's next iPhone needs killer features to revive consumer demand. A dual-camera system could be what catches your eye.
January 14, 2016
Apple looks to bring wireless 'Air Buds' to the iPhone 7
An iPhone 7 without a headphone jack looks more real, Apple Watch 2 rumors and the iOS 9.3 beta is legit.
January 8, 2016
Hey, Apple, leave that jack alone
The iPhone 7 may be missing a 3.5mm headphone jack when Apple releases the phone this year. A new petition begs the electronics giant not to switch to a Lightning jack.
January 5, 2016
Would it be a mistake for Apple to remove the headphone jack on the iPhone 7?
Rumors continue to percolate that Apple will drop the 3.5mm headphone jack in its next iPhone to help slim down the device. But is it a good idea?
December 29, 2015
Catcher to see strong 2016, says paper
The upcoming new iPhone products are rumored to be waterproof and use new compound materials to hide the antenna.
December 10, 2015
Apple has an idea for 'self-healing' technology that could make the next iPhone waterproof
December 8, 2015
iPhone 7: Most-wanted features
With the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus in the rear-view mirror now, it's time to look ahead and put in our upgrade requests for the next iPhone.
December 3, 2015
Is the iPhone 7 getting rid of the 3.5mm headphone jack?
A report claims Apple will make Lightning its do-everything port for a slimmer iPhone 7.
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