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Early September in the tech world has come to mean one thing: it’s new iPhone time.
Apple is holding a live event in San Francisco on Wednesday evening UK time, where the next iPhone is expected to be unveiled. Having had the 6s this time last year which changed little in terms of core features (3D Touch was the big news), we’re expecting something a little more hefty this time around.
Yes, we’re expecting it to be the iPhone 7. There was a time when some suspected a name change but that has faded away as we’ve got closer to the unveiling.
Design-wise it might not be as radical a refresh of the hardware as Apple has made in the past when the number after “iPhone” rises. The antenna line is expected to be reshaped on the rear of the phone and it’s likely to be thinner (for reasons we’ll come to in a moment), but apart from that the rumour mill isn’t expecting anything too drastic.
The usual boost of the internals is expected so the 7 should be faster and more responsive, while there has been talk of the Home Button getting Haptic feedback so it too vibrates when you touch it, just like the trackpads on the latest MacBooks. The idea is to create the sensation you’re pressing the button without physically pressing it down.
One of the headline changes expected in the 7 is the addition of a second camera lens to the rear. This is something a couple of other manufacturers have already tried – the aim is to enable more high quality images thanks to a second lens to focus and capture everything they can both see.
Considering the iPhone is already known as one of the world’s most popular cameras, this seems like a smart move.
A second lens could be used to capture in black and white – as it does on the Huawei P9, for example – a set-up that enables better and sharper colour.
Apple is likely to have its own plans for such a dual lens set-up and what it does decide to go with will be fascinating.
This is the potential feature likely to cause the most contention – removing the headphone jack from the bottom of the iPhone 7. The most likely reason is to allow the phone to become even thinner, as that circular opening will no longer be required.
The potential downside comes in the form of possible backlash from consumers who don’t want to switch to wireless headphones – the most likely alternative once the wired option is gone. Some will see it as an extra expense pushed on them if Apple doesn’t offer them in the box, while others are already fearing a world where wireless headphones are just another thing they need to charge each night, alongside their iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
However, wireless listening is growing and has its benefits. Technology also has a tendency to move quickly and both the modern smartphone and tablet were scoffed at when first seen. Now they’re commonplace. Could wireless earphones be next?
As well as the physical product, iOS should get some air time at the event, with the already announced iOS 10 set to be the launch software for the 7.
The biggest change in iOS 10 lies in the Messages app, which has opened up all new levels of customisation when it comes to text size, the ability to hand write and add emoji and background animations. The lock screen and notifications have been streamlined too.
This we know already, but it will be interesting to see what else Apple has in store – we should get a release date for rolling it out to users too.
The first hardware upgrade to the Apple Watch could take place, with better internals to speed up the wearable as well as some design trimming to make it smaller and lighter.
Expect a new range of bands – at the very least two – while one long shot rumour is that the new Watch could come with its own built-in camera.
