Updated: iPhone 7 release date, news and rumors
iPhone 7 release date, news and rumors
Update: We have new iPhone 7 release date and feature rumors, following Apple WWDC 2016. Fresh reports say it'll have a larger camera lens, ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack and be thinner, but otherwise look the same, and it might also cost the same.
iPhone 7 rumors are all over the place, and the good news is Apple's supposed to deliver a significant upgrade to its smartphone for 2016. "Supposed to" because it changes the design every two years.
Without a doubt, iPhone 6S is the company's best phone yet. But it's underwhelming because it doesn't bring anything amazing aside from fancy new 3D Touch technology. It's just too similar to the iPhone 6.
So there's a understandable yearning for sweeping iPhone 7 changes for its launch date in a few weeks: think a whole new design, piles of power and a bunch of new features.
The leaks, rumors and reports are already ramping up, and we've got all the information that you could possibly need about the September-bound iPhone 7 release date.
We've collected all the latest from around the web, sifted through the likelihood of each rumor and given you our expert take on what to expect from Apple's launch - so read on to find the authoritative take on your possible next phone.
Fancy Android? Here's our full review of the Samsung Galaxy S7. Looking for something smaller? Then you'll want to check out the iPhone SE - while our iPhone 7 Plus rumors page should cover all your big screen needs.
In a rush? Get the latest iPhone 7 news in our video roundup below:
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G7h7_oCtGo
Cut to the chase
What is it? A rebooted iPhone, with new powers, features and design
When is it out? Almost nailed on for September 2016
What will it cost? Very likely the same as the iPhone 6S
iPhone 7 release date
If we were betting folk, we'd bet the house on the fact the iPhone 7 will launch in September 2016. Apple sticks to a schedule and the last few iPhones have all been launched in the month of September.
Oh, there's a possibility it could be earlier, as according to a 'reliable source' Apple might actually bring it to market earlier. Sadly, how much earlier is unclear and we hear this rumor every year. It never happens.
It will take a while to finish development and manufacturer of the phone, so we wouldn't expect to see it before September. Autumn is exactly when iOS 10 is due. It just makes sense for September.
More: what WWDC secretly told us about iPhone 7
iPhone 7 design
Hottest leaks:
No headphone jack
Water resistance
Bezel-less metal body
iPhone 6S looked a lot like the iPhone 6 and while we were expecting big design changes for the iPhone 7, we've got bad news for Apple fans: it might be very similar outside of a few tweaks here and there.
It's said to be slimmer than the 7.1mm-thick iPhone 6S; Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities reckons it'll drop to between 6mm and 6.5mm. That sounds unnecessarily slim to us, especially as it could cause the battery life to take a hit, but the Samsung Galaxy S6 is only marginally thicker at 6.8mm, so it's possible.
If TSMC makes the chips, as has been rumored, then some space could be saved, which might help Apple slim it down without making sacrifices in other areas. Another report claims Apple will use fan-out technology to save space and reduce the thickness of the iPhone 7.
Slimming down the iPhone 7 could mean Apple will have to ditch the bulky 3.5mm headphone jack. That could lead to a great dependence on Bluetooth headphones, but another leak suggests there will also be a pair of special Apple earbuds included in the iPhone 7 retail box.
If Apple ditches the headphone jack, you'll want to check out these DACs
Don't ditch your headphones just yet though, as an image supposedly showing iPhone 7 circuitry has emerged and the 3.5mm jack is intact in it. Removing the jack could do more harm than good, especially in the short term, so we doubt it will happen.
Another rumor suggests the iPhone 7 will have an all-metal design with a bezel-less display. It would be a big change for the iPhone design, but bringing in a new kind of screen technology would be a sensible move for Apple. However, new reports claim an iPhone overhaul is being saved for 2017.
The iPhone 7 could be built to last too, as according to Mac Otakara there are a number of iPhone prototypes with "ruggedized" features, which could mean a water and dust-resistant phone is on the way.
In fact, that's exactly what we'll get according to a supply chain source. Yet another suggestion of a waterproof iPhone 7 comes from the Apple supplier Japan Display. The supplier has come up with a new technology called "Pixel Eyes", that is now in its second generation and makes it easier to use the screen while you have wet fingers.
However, another report has suggested Apple will opt for a slimmer phone rather than a waterproof iPhone 7. Apple will likely get a new LCD display technology as well, which could allow the iPhone 7 to be 1mm thinner than before.
A design tweak rumor which will likely please many is that Apple will ditch the camera bump which has been present since the iPhone 6/6 Plus - with the firm going for a sleeker finish on the iPhone 7. As well as being totally flat the back could also be uninterrupted, as the same report points towards the removal of the antenna bands.
That tallies with an image leak picked up by Nowhereelse.fr, which claims its snapshot shows the iPhone 7 to have no antenna bands and a larger camera.
A few days after that, a leak of the iPhone 7 chassis design showed a new design for the antennas. So it increasingly seems Apple may sort out one of the more controversial elements of the design of the iPhone 6S.
However, the overall size and shape of the iPhone 7 may not change much, as a sketch complete with dimensions shows it as being the same length and width as the iPhone 6S, as well as having similarly curved corners. That would be surprising for a new numbered model though and the sketch could easily be a fake.
A purported photograph of the back panel has emerged on MobiPicker, showing the phone in gold with a rounded design, antenna lines at the top and bottom and a new camera module, which could be a laser autofocus. The image is likely a fake, but the general design is largely in line with rumors so it could also be the shape of things to come.
In fact it's also very much in line with a newer image which seems to show the back of the iPhone 7 itself. It looks like it could have been manipulated, but with most design rumors lining up it could still be close to the truth.
A render, based on supposed technical drawings of the phone, has also surfaced. According to GSMArena the colors and materials may differ slightly in the finished phone, but the placement of the ports, buttons and camera should all be accurate. It's in line with other leaks, though as it's an unofficial render it should be taken with the usual pinch of salt.
We've also seen leaked case images, courtesy of 9to5Mac, which show the headphone jack appears to be missing, as has been heavily rumored. Additionally you can see a dual-camera setup and a Smart Connector, which suggests these are actually for the iPhone 7 Plus.
But just as everything was lining up a leaked case prototype threw it all into question, with four speaker grilles when we're only expecting one or two. As it goes against everything else it's probably fake, but it could certainly make the iPhone 7 a media powerhouse.
iPhone 7 screen
Hottest leaks:
A sharper screen
An edge-to-edge display
The iPhone 7 could be in for a big resolution jump if a DigiTimes source is to be believed, as Apple is apparently likely to move to glass-on-glass screens, which in turn opens up the possibility of a QHD or even a 4K display.
A lot of Android phones already have QHD screens, and the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is 4K, so it's possible that Apple will pump up the resolution of its next flagship, but given that the iPhone 6S isn't even 1080p we're skeptical that it'll get anywhere near 4K.
If the iPhone 7 does get higher resolution it might get bigger too, especially as rival phones are growing in size all the time. We're not convinced though – we'd still bet on seeing 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models.
Then there's the first image of the LCD backlight on the iPhone 7. It comes from trusted French blog NoWhereElse and shows the panel from the iPhone 7 up against the iPhone 6S.
All the connectors are in different locations around the phone, suggesting there will be a few design changes on the next iPhone.
A jump in resolution might not be the only way the iPhone 7 imitates Android though, as there's also talk that it could switch from an LCD display to an OLED panel, just like Samsung uses on most of its phones.
One new rumor suggests the iPhone 7S will be the first Apple phone to feature an OLED display. The rumor comes from Apple telling supply chain sources that it will be switching from LCD panels to OLED panels in the next couple of years.
Sadly it doesn't seem like the technology will be here in time for the iPhone 7 and we'll have to wait for the iPhone 7S. That said, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has dismissed the rumor, arguing that Apple won't likely switch to AMOLED before 2019.
On the other hand it's now been reported by the Chinese Wall Street Journal that Apple has ordered 100 million 5.5-inch AMOLED panels for a 2017 iPhone. So all we can say with any certainty right now is that we won't see an AMOLED iPhone this year.
There's also talk of Apple taking a leaf out of Samsung's book and opting for a 5.8-inch curved AMOLED display on a future iPhone, although this could be something for the iPhone 8 rather than the iPhone 7.
Hopes of an edge-to-edge display on the iPhone 7 have been raised slightly after an image appeared online claiming to show just that - although having seen hundreds of iPhone leaks over the years we think this offering looks rather fake.
The iPhone 7 screen could be hard to smash, as an Apple patent has been unearthed showing bumpers which burst out from the edges of the screen to ensure it doesn't touch the floor when dropped. Patents often don't turn into products, but you never know – and it would certainly be nice to see a stronger screen.
3D Touch is bound to make a return, though it's likely to be improved in some way, perhaps by enabling you to scroll through the previews of content you 'peek' into, rather than just having static previews.
iPhone 7 rivals
The iPhone 7 is still weeks away, but many of its main rivals have already launched. The biggest ones are the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Both of these phones have received five-star reviews on TechRadar - which we hadn't previously given out to a phone for two years - so Apple has some serious work to do.
Check out our full reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
The HTC 10 is a worthy alternative to Apple's handset too. Coming from HTC it's as stylish as you'd hope and the audio quality is a cut above.
Check out our full HTC 10 review
There's also iPhone SE, which has arrived with a palm-friendly 4-inch size, 6S specs and an affordable price tag. For those looking for a phone which is manageable in one hand, this is the one you want.
Check out our full iPhone SE review
iPhone 7 camera and battery
Hottest leaks:
A dual-lens snapper
No more camera bump
A larger battery
Apple overhauled its camera tech for the iPhone 6S, replacing its old 8MP snapper with a shiny new 12MP one and boosting the front-facing camera up to 5MP.
Given that Apple tends to stick with camera components for a long time we wouldn't expect to see a change in megapixels for the iPhone 7, but there's a good chance it will have performance tweaks and additional features to help set it apart. For one thing the standard iPhone 7 may get optical image stabilisation, as well as the larger iPhone 7 Plus.
A shot of the rear of the iPhone 7 from Nowhereelse.fr suggests the camera lens will be bigger and more recently the site has shown another image, which again shows off a larger lens. Not only that, but images that allegedly show machining plates used in the making of the iPhone 7 have been shared by HDBlog.it and also point to it having a larger sensor.
It doesn't seem to be a dual-camera lens (that's thought to be reserved for the iPhone 7 Plus), but it looks much larger so may mean some big improvements on the camera tech.
The benefit to the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 of not having a dual-camera system is that a smaller lens could remove the camera bump while still packing in plenty of tech.
As for the battery, it was one of the greatest failings of the iPhone 6S, so we're really hoping for some improvements here. Sadly, though, if the phone does slim down further as is being rumored there's not much hope of a big juice pack - or is there?
A recent leak suggests that Apple will increase the battery size in the iPhone 7 while still being able to reduce the thickness. If that's true, then great, but we're not holding out much hope.
iPhone 7 OS and power
Hottest leaks:
A hexa-core processor
3GB of RAM
iOS 10
iPhone 7 is being groomed to launch alongside iOS 10, and it's a tremendous feature upgrade over iOS 9.3. It'll introduce a much smarter Siri that can command third-party apps, new Messaging functionality and an convenient Raise to Wake way of lighting up the phone.
It won't stop with a software upgrade under the hood. iPhone 7 could be in for a huge performance boost, with whispers on Weibo that the phone will pack a hexa-core Apple A10 chip.
That's a big leap from just a dual-core processor in the iPhone 6S. We're skeptical that Apple would go for that much of a jump, but it's an exciting thought.
Apple only just pushed the iPhone 6S up to 2GB, so we're not due to see more RAM in the iPhone 7. That hasn't stopped multiple rumors from indicating that the new phone will come with 3GB of RAM. It's said to be exclusive to the iPhone 7 Plus to account for its alleged dual-camera image processing.
3GB of RAM is big jump in a short amount of time, even for the 5.5-inch iPhone 7. The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus just got 2GB of RAM nine months ago, and the 1GB of RAM had been three generations strong in iPhone 6, iPhone 5S and iPhone 5. Then again, Android phones like the Asus Zenfone 3 and OnePlus 3 are launching with 6GB of RAM.
iPhone 7 other features
Hottest leaks:
A pressure-sensitive home button
Wireless charging
A smaller headphone jack
While the iPhone 7 is largely expected to look similar to the iPhone 6S it could be a very different beast on the inside, as according to CNBC, the Economic Daily News reported that the iPhone 7 will be "more complex" to manufacture than any previous iPhone, suggesting there could be a lot going on under the hood. What exactly we'll get remains to be seen, but a number of possibilities have been rumored.
We could be in for a redesigned home button, as according to one source it won't be a button so much as a sensor that you just have to place your finger on. The same source reckons that it might also be pressure-sensitive, so presumably if you press harder something different will happen, such as it taking you to a different screen.
A whole slew of possible features are apparently in testing for the iPhone 7, with five different prototypes being used to test multi-Force Touch tech, a dual camera, wireless charging, a fingerprint scanner in the screen and a USB Type-C connector that's compatible with headsets.
That all comes from a post on Chinese social networking site Weibo, but even if it's true given that there are apparently five different prototypes much of this may not make it into the final phone.
In other rumors, the iPhone 7 could have a smaller headphone jack than the iPhone 6S. We're hesitant to call this a feature, as it's more a likely annoyance which could be necessary in order to further slim the phone down.
There's an Apple patent which points to a 2mm connector, down from the standard 3.5mm headphone jack found on most phones. That would certainly help Apple slim the device down, but would also mean you'd either need special headphones or an adapter. Fortunately a newer leak suggests the iPhone 7's headphone jack won't be changing after all, which is good news as far as we're concerned.
iPhone 7 Smart Connector or no Smart Connector?
One of the weirdest iPhone 7 rumors is that it might have a Smart Connector like the iPad Pro 12.9 and iPad Pro 9.7 range. On Apple's slates this allows for the connection of a keyboard, which seems an unlikely fit for a phone, but it's possible that one could be used to connect headphones if the 3.5mm headphone jack really is ditched - something which itself seems unlikely.
So far there are conflicting rumors on whether or not it will have a Smart Connector. The first we heard of it was from supply chain sources who revealed a dummy iPhone 7 Plus unit to Mac Otakara. As you can see in the image above it has three tell-tale Smart Connector dots at the bottom.
A few weeks later the same site came back and said that Apple had "shelved" plans for a Smart Connector port on its next phone.
But that wasn't the end of the story. Since then another dummy has popped up, this time from an anonymous tipster at MacRumors. The dummy is likely of an iPhone 7, rather than an iPhone 7 Plus, as you can tell from the smaller camera, and once again there's a Smart Connector present.
It could easily have been faked and even if it wasn't it's possibly an old dummy from back when Apple was apparently considering it. A Smart Connector on the iPhone 7 is still possible, but we'd say it's unlikely, as it never made a whole lot of sense to begin with.
iPhone 7 cost
Price rumors from Weibo suggest that the iPhone 7 could start at the same sort of price as the iPhone 6S, so around US$649 (£539, AU$1079), though for that money you'll apparently get 32GB of storage, rather than 16GB. At the top end it's rumored to be a little more expensive than the US$849/£699/AU$1379 iPhone 6S 128GB, but you'll apparently get 256GB of storage.
Next up: Apple Watch 2 could launch at the same time
iPhone 7: what we want to see
Phones can always be improved, and we've had a few smart ideas for Apple's next generation iPhone.
From a wider selection of screens and a resolution boost, to expandable storage and a speaker shift, here's what Apple should do for the iPhone 7.
1. Three screen sizes
Don't get us wrong, we're thrilled Apple now has handsets which offer more real estate for your apps and games - but there's still a pocket of fans who find 5.5 and 4.7 inches simply too big.
But with the arrival of the iPhone SE and its 4-inch screen we're calling on Apple to repeat the trick with the iPhone 7.
But rather than marking it out as something different we want it to pack the same specs and features as the iPhone 7.
2. A resolution your movies and games deserve
You can now record 4K video on the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, but play them back on the handsets and you won't get the full experience.
With the iPhone 7 it's time Apple boosted the resolution of its handsets. We'd take a full HD resolution on the 4.7-inch iPhone 7, but if the iPhone 7 Plus turns up with anything less than a QHD screen then us and Apple will be having words.
QHD is now widespread throughout the top tier of Android devices, and we're even seeing 4K screens sneak onto our smartphones. Don't get left behind again Apple, please.
3. Wireless charging
Wireless charging remains one of the most frustrating technologies around, because while it's here, it works, and it feels like living in the future, it isn't as widely supported as we'd like.
An iPhone 7 with wireless charging would be great, especially if the same charger worked for the Apple Watch too. And if it could support both wireless standards as well, like the Galaxy S6, then that would be just swell.
4. Curved displays
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge wowed us with its delightfully curving dual screens earlier this year, and it's fair to say we're rather smitten with this futuristic look.
Now imagine such sultry curves on an Apple designed smartphone. We're going weak at the knees already. Go on Apple, wrap that screen round the edges of the iPhone 7 and we'll more than likely be in love.
5. No more 16GB models
iOS 8 adoption stalled and we reckon it was because people with 16GB iPhones didn't have enough free space for the 5.7GB over-the-air update and don't want to use iTunes because, well, iTunes.
iOS 9 improved things be coming in at a smaller size, but it still wasn't tiny and will have been a problem for some. When your software updates are too big for your entry level products, your entry level products clearly don't come with enough storage.
How about starting at 32GB for the iPhone 7? We can't store everything in iCloud, even when it's working properly.
This is what the iPhone 7 should look like
6. Expandable storage
While we're on the topic of storage - how about actually giving us some expansion potential Apple? It's something we've been craving for years now, yet our request has continuously fallen on deaf ears over at Cupertino.
Expandable storage would allow us to buy the cheapest iPhone and then supplement the poxy 16GB of space with a microSD card of up to 2TB in size. Of course, that means Apple wouldn't rake in as much cash for the 64GB and 128GB models - and thus it's never going to happen.
7. Even better cameras
Apple gave us our first iPhone megapixel camera boost in four years with the 12MP sensor inside the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. But why stop there?
People love using their iPhones to take pictures, Apple can't tell us that enough, so keep on innovating. 12MP is a good start, but spend some time with the 16MP snapper on the Galaxy S6 and you'll be seriously impressed.
Of course it's not all about the number of megapixels, and Apple continues to do great things behind the scenes to improve your snaps.
The Live Photo feature also seems like a little bit of a gimmick at the moment - and similar to the sort of things Samsung was doing on the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S5. If Apple can harness these new found abilities into something more productive on the iPhone 7 that would be impressive.
8. Look ID
Touch ID is great, and it's got even better on the iPhone 6S with the second generation scanner tech making it more responsive than ever, but we want more.
The iPhone 7 has the chance to take biometrics to the next level, with iris recognition. It won't be the first to the eye scanning tech (check out the Microsoft Lumia 950), but you just know if Apple jumps on board it'll be slickly implemented and a joy to use.
Want to unlock your new iPhone? Just give it a knowing glance. Need to purchase a new must-have application? Give the iPhone 7 your best Blue Steel and boom, it's downloading.
Need a name for it? Look ID. You're welcome, Jony.
9. Speaker shift
With the HTC One M9, Sony Xperia Z5 and Moto X Force all rocking front facing speakers, we're becoming increasingly frustrated with manufacturers that still insist on putting a single speaker on the base of their handsets. The sound is poor, it's not projected in the right direction and it's often covered by a hand when the phone is held in landscape.
For the iPhone 7, Apple needs to shift its speaker location to the front so users can enjoy the audio from their games, movies, TV shows and favorite YouTube videos.
10. An unbreakable screen
Motorola has done it with the Moto X Force, and going by the number of smashed iPhone screens we see on a daily basis this is a must for the iPhone 7.
Stick in a four year guarantee and Apple will win the hearts of many who are disgusted at the firm's charges for replacing cracked displays.
After something larger? Check out the iPad Pro 9.7
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