The iPhone 7 isn’t expected until September 2016, but that hasn’t stopped the rumour mills from putting in the overtime. Talk of the new Apple phone not having a headphone jack have caused a stir, while a new design, faster performance, an improved camera and waterproofing are all expected.
What will the iPhone 7 be?
We haven’t seen any photos yet, but the design is expected to change. It will likely be thinner and lighter, and that unsightly camera bulge on the back might be removed. The screen is unlikely to change its size or resolution for the 7 or 7 Plus.
Extreme thinness and wireless connectivity are likely to be key features of the iPhone 7. It has been widely speculated and leaked by multiple insider sources that the iPhone 7 will not have a headphone jack. Instead, users will be asked to use the Lightning port or a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones.
Wireless Charging :
Though not the first to introduce Wireless Charging, Apple has planned to increase the efficiency of the wireless charging. Apple is now working with partners in Asia and the US to tackle the issue that its competitors like Samsung and Sony are facing. The new technology is expected to allow the devices to charge faster and further away from the power source. Reports suggest that the inductive charging technology of Apple Watch could be replicated and adjusted to the new iPhone in order to make the wireless charging feature work.
Removing the Home button :
Rumours claim the iPhone 7 will integrate a Touch ID fingerprint reader into the display, meaning you can unlock the phone by pressing anywhere. This would combine neatly with 3D Touch; a soft tap of the screen would work normally, whereas a firm press, would be like pressing the home button.
Thinner and lighter design :
According to reports,.you should expect the iPhone 7 to be the thinnest and lightest yet, measuring less than 6.9mm thick and weighing under 129g. But on the flip side, the battery life might get reduced. Apple also filed a patent on 7 January which hints at the possibility of the iPhone 7 supporting a twin camera system.
Waterproofing :
Although Apple has never listed it as a feature, the iPhone 6s has proved to be remarkably water-resistant than it’s predecessors. It is expected that this trend would continue. It is also expected that Apple would get rid of it’s 16 GB model and move with 32 GB or more!
Wireless Headphones :
Apple is reported to be working on replacing the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack with wireless headphones, making the phone slimmer than its predecessors. There are two scenarios to this case. Firstly, those who use wireless Bluetooth headphones will not mourn this loss, because they will carry on listening to music as before.
Next, for those who use wired headphones, it is likely Apple will send audio out through the Lightning port and sell an adapter to plug your regular headphones into it. It will also mean headphones can be plugged into the Lightning port while the handset is charged. It is also speculated that the wireless ear-pods in the iPhone 7, would come with noise cancelling capabilities.
But a petition has been gaining momentum, ever since the Speculations of ditching of 3.5mm jacket floated across the internet. The petition has strongly criticised Apple’s move stating that “it will single handedly create mountains of electronic waste — that likely won’t get recycled” as prospective iPhone 7 users will be forced to ditch their existing headphones completely.
The catch here is that the 3.5mm headphone jack is still being widely used by millions of iPhone users. Besides, the advent of proposed wireless earphones with every iPhone 7 will negate the need to buy or use existing 3.5mm headphones.
Despite the petition gaining momentum, it is very unlikely to impact the outcome of a proposed iPhone 7 launch without the 3.5mm jack.
But there arises a question. If the 3.5 mm jack and the charging port is removed for the shake of thinner design and bringing innovation, then it could very well ditch the lightning port as well and could work on more ways to bring an effective innovative futuristic iPhone!
The iPhone 7 is likely to be announced this September, but we expect to see iOS 10 at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June, where we might see some clues of what the new phone will be like.
Before that, it is rumoured that Apple will be holding a media event in March where it will update the ipad Air and also reveal a new, smaller and cheaper iPhone, currently known as the iPhone 5SE.
Read More : How Apple is digging its own grave by ditching the 3.5 mm audio jack
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Written by S G A Thomas.
