iPhone 7

[Eug]

The first part leaks for the iPhone 7 are now making the rounds.

http://9to5mac.com/2016/01/06/iphone-7-leaked-photos-claim/

My predictions:

1) 4.7" iPhone 7 and 5.5" iPhone 7 Plus.

2) Lightning port with USB 3 support. Why do I believe this? Because iDevices with that are already out. It turns out the iPad Pro has a different Lightning port with more pins, and it also has a USB 3 controller. I don't believe the rumours of a USB C port.

3) 2 GB RAM. There are some rumours of 3 GB RAM, but I don't quite believe them. I would love to be proven wrong though. Some rumours also state 2 GB for the 4.7" and 3 GB for the 5.5", but I don't believe those either.

4) Thinner and lighter. Just because it's Apple.

5) No 3.5 mm audio jack. Personally this would be irritating to me, but I'm mentioning this because everyone is claiming this now, and Apple could appease the masses by releasing a Lightning to 3.5 mm port converter dongle.

6) 32 GB minimum. Because it's about time.

7) 256 GB maximum. Because it's about time.

8) Better camera with better low light capability.

9) Proper digital image stabilization for 4K video for iPhone 7.

10) Improved Live Photos. Better quality video, but only with this phone. The better quality won't get added to the iPhone 6s/6s Plus. ie. Improvement in Live Photos specs will be locked to the phone generation, not the iOS version.

11) Much improved water resistance. Having no 3.5 mm audio jack might help there.

12) No OLED/AMOLED. Screen will be LCD.

13) Case redesign, eliminating those ugly antenna bands.

14) A10 chip for both 7 and 7 Plus. No A10X in an iPhone.

15) Home button still present. Because an iPhone without a home button would likely suck. Keeping the home button also means keeping Touch ID is easy.

 

[Subyman]

If the 3.5mm jack thing is legit, then I may be done with iPhones. They already irritated me with the iphone 6S having the 16GB base model. I use the jack daily in the gym and in the workshop. No way I want to buy all new blue tooth stuff or have to mess with adapters.

 

[Eug]

I'd be done with iPhones over that only if they didn't release a converter dongle. They'd have to release that dongle though, or else the masses would revolt. Actually I sometimes already use dongles with my iPhone because the cases I buy generally have the headphone cutout too small for my headphones, so the only way to attach my headphones is either to take off the case, or to use a $1 eBay 4" extension cord.

However, if they got rid of the home button, I'd very seriously look elsewhere.

Actually, I prefer the size of the 4" iPhones over the 4.7" iPhones, but I doubt I'd pick up a rumoured 4" 6c. Why? Cuz it won't be an iPhone 7, and I've noticed that even some mobile sites these days are catering more to 4.7" and larger phones than 4" phones. That makes sense, since pretty much all the flagship phones these days are 4.7" or larger. Unfortunately, I find it hard to use a 4.7" iPhone one handed. (I have small hands.)

 

[Subyman]

I'd be done with iPhones over that only if they didn't release a converter dongle. They'd have to release that dongle though, or else the masses would revolt. Actually I sometimes already use dongles with my iPhone because the cases I buy generally have the headphone cutout too small for my headphones, so the only way to attach my headphones is either to take off the case, or to use a $1 eBay 4" extension cord.

I carry my phone with me daily and I refuse to keep up with adapters so Apple can squeeze another 0.1mm out of the thickness. Form over function should only be taken so far.

 

[TheStu]

I carry my phone with me daily and I refuse to keep up with adapters so Apple can squeeze another 0.1mm out of the thickness. Form over function should only be taken so far.

I'm not necessarily in favor of ditching the 3.5mm jack, but there's a function argument to be made, the port takes up space internally that could be devoted to more battery. Since we all know they aren't going to leave it the same size, or make it thicker in order to get more battery life.

 

[Childs]

I carry my phone with me daily and I refuse to keep up with adapters so Apple can squeeze another 0.1mm out of the thickness. Form over function should only be taken so far.

It depends on how small the adapter is, but I think I read they were going essentially use the adapter as a dac. I wouldnt mind if it was a straight up adapter that you could easily leave on the jack, but if its like a thumb drive its a no go.

Whats funny about Apple's push to make these phones thinner is it seems most people put their phones in cases, so making it super thin doesnt really get you anything. These phones are too expensive to not use a case. The iPhone 6 seems thin enough. In fact too thin if Apple puts out a case with an integrated battery. At this rate they'll just have the guts as the phone and have a case with battery, i/o and screen.

 

[Beer4Me]

As much as people will bitch and moan, I think headphone jacks will be going the way of the Do-Do bird in the next 3-5 years all around. That is my prediction. They will only continue to exist in the pro-audio space, but even then in limited usage. Airlines will continue to be happy to sell you $5 3.5mm headphones, and Apple will release a dongle for 3.5mm audio if they drop the jack. Why? Licensing...

 

[Subyman]

I'm not necessarily in favor of ditching the 3.5mm jack, but there's a function argument to be made, the port takes up space internally that could be devoted to more battery. Since we all know they aren't going to leave it the same size, or make it thicker in order to get more battery life.

I understand the need for something to talk about during next year's iteration, but I think this may be an example of the stagnating smart phone market. When widely used features are being thrown out the window for a company to keep going down the same hole then maybe its time to redirect their attention to something people would find more interesting.

They could leave it the same size and get more battery life and retain functionality. Then put their "innovative" engineers to work on something truly innovative.

It depends on how small the adapter is, but I think I read they were going essentially use the adapter as a dac. I wouldnt mind if it was a straight up adapter that you could easily leave on the jack, but if its like a thumb drive its a no go.

I find it facsinating that they throw out the integrated feature to make the phone more visually appealing (debateable...) and then offer a workaround that is an eye sore. So their product shots on their website and their spec sheet show a sleek phone, but in practice you are juggling adapters and have a tumor sticking out of the bottom of the brand new phone just to have last year's feature.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Because what we really need is an even thinner phone. No really, it must be thinner otherwise the world will end. Screw usability, must be thinner

 

[ControlD]

If Apple gets rid of the headphone jack (terrible decision IMO), then you can bet for sure they will be making a very large push into the Bluetooth headphone market.

Get ready for lots of $200 Beats BT earpods.

Personally I can't stand using BT headphones, but more and more people are buying them these days. I have enough crap that needs to be charged every day as it is. I'll stick with my corded, cheaper and better sounding headphones and devices that natively support them.

 

[dawheat]

As my wife only will use the normal iPhone and not the Plus, they absolutely better add OIS to the standard iPhone. It's irritating that if you want the best low light photos on an iPhone, you have to get the oversized Plus.

Going to 32/128/256 would be killer, though I'm a bit skeptical that it would remain at the current price increments. It's always been a surprise to me that some Android OEM doesn't lead with 32/128 at $100 difference - profit margins would still be higher and most would see it as a great value. Instead they try to copy Apple's pricing without their ability to justify it.

 

[Spicedaddy]

August 2010 - Got iPhone 4 at launch...16GB
September 2012 - Got iPhone 5 at launch...16GB
September 2014 - Got iPhone 6 at launch...16GB

So after 6 years, maybe they can put 32GB in the base model? lol

 

[Subyman]

August 2010 - Got iPhone 4 at launch...16GB
September 2012 - Got iPhone 5 at launch...16GB
September 2014 - Got iPhone 6 at launch...16GB

So after 6 years, maybe they can put 32GB in the base model? lol

I think the 4 even had a 8GB base model. 16GB in a $800 phone is pathetic IMO.

 

[Anubis]

I really think if they remove the headphone jack the backlash, even from the apple crowd is gonna be HUGE, everyone is getting tired of having to buy new adapters and lets be honest, 15 years later Bluetooth still sucks

 

[Eug]

I think the 4 even had a 8GB base model. 16GB in a $800 phone is pathetic IMO.

Smallest at launch was 16 GB. Then a year later they introduced the 8 GB model.

 

[ControlD]

Well, looks like I was close with my prediction:

http://www.engadget.com/2016/01/08/apple-premium-wireless-headphones-iphone-7-rumor/

If they are $299 though (no price given yet for the Apple ones) that might be a tough sell.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Well, looks like I was close with my prediction:

http://www.engadget.com/2016/01/08/apple-premium-wireless-headphones-iphone-7-rumor/

If they are $299 though (no price given yet for the Apple ones) that might be a tough sell.

all rumors, no facts...

 

[Eug]

If those headphones are Beats branded, I'm gonna puke.

 

[Artdeco]

If those headphones are Beats branded, I'm gonna puke.

LOL, you know they will be, and they're going to sell like crazy.

 

[Arachnotronic]

Predictions:

- 4.7-inch/5.5-inch versions
- 4.7-inch model sees display resolution increase to 1704x960 (~416ppi) and 5.5-inch model sees resolution increase to 2208x1242 (~460ppi)
- Wide gamut LCDs (DCI-P3 gamut)
- 2GB RAM in 4.7-inch/3GB in 5.5-inch (per Ming-Chi Kuo)
- Much thinner chassis that looks like a blend of the iPad's industrial design and the iPhones.
- No antenna lines
- 16GB minimum storage; 256GB maximum for iPhone 7 Plus only (per rumor)
- Qualcomm MDM9645 baseband
- 12 MPixel rear shooter, but with larger pixels (larger sensor), f/1.8 aperture (better low light photos), 6-element lens; same 5MPixel front facing camera
- OIS for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
- Waterproof per rumors
- No 3.5mm jack

 

[Eug]

I forgot to mention the wireless charging rumours but personally I'm not convinced of that. And personally I'm not sure it would be all that useful for me since I charge my phone in something like five different places.

 

[Commodus]

Predictions:

- 16GB minimum storage; 256GB maximum for iPhone 7 Plus only (per rumor)

I suspect this is the year Apple really does bump up the minimum storage. One possible clue is the iPad Pro: notice how it starts at 32GB and jumps to 128GB? I could see Apple taking that approach with the iPhone 7, starting at 32GB and then offering 128GB/256GB for those who want local storage for everything.

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple kept to 16GB base or had a 64GB option in there, but now seems a prime opportunity for an upgrade.

 

[Subyman]

I don't think they could go another year with 16GB. Even my parent's phone is having major storage issues and she hardly has anything on there.

 

[Rakehellion]

If those headphones are Beats branded, I'm gonna puke.

Beats is Apple, but you know they don't like to smear logos all over their products.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Does anyone know if there is a plan to refresh the 5s at all? I get that the majority likely want the size of the 6 at minimum but my gf is a fan of the 5s form factor and is not interested in either going to android or a larger screen size.

Also, related to the OP, not a fan of the potential of no 3.5mm headphone jack. I'll probably just move back to Android if they do this unless they release a dongle that is not annoying. I really don't want to have to do this though.