Friday, May 20, 2016

Samsung, LG unveil new devices in bid for smartphone recovery


New Samsung S7 (R) and S7 edge smartphones are displayed after their unveiling ceremony at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, February 21, 2016.
REUTERS/ALBERT GEA
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Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (005930.KS) and LG Electronics Inc (066570.KS) unveiled their latest smartphones at the Mobile World Congress industry show in Barcelona on Sunday, seeking to buck the slowdown in industry growth.
Phone makers face another tough year in 2016 as subdued global growth and persisting currency weakness in key emerging markets sap consumers' spending power. A push by Chinese manufacturers to expand overseas amid slowing growth in their domestic market may also undercut margins further.
In a bid to recapture market share, Samsung launched two new versions of its Galaxy S smartphone and brought in Facebook Inc (FB.O) Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg for a surprise appearance to tout the potential of virtual reality, prompting hundreds of people to rush to the stage to record the moment.
LG, which lost money from its mobile business last year as its flagship products struggled, introduced a modular design to its new G5 smartphones that allows users to replace or upgrade functions such as camera and audio independently.
It also launched a virtual reality headset and accessories including a drone controller to pair with the G5.
Analysts and investors cheered LG's features, which they said were different enough to possibly revive sales, but were lukewarm about Samsung's offerings, saying they only featured incremental upgrades.
"I think it's possible for LG's mobile business to recover on its new product launch, since they delivered significant changes with the G5," said Seoul-based HDC Asset Management fund manager Park Jung-hoon.
"The Galaxy S7, however, doesn't seem to be creating as much buzz," Park said.
Samsung shares were down 1.3 percent as of 0212 GMT, underperforming a 0.2 percent fall for the broader market .KS11, while LG shares were up 3 percent.
Revamps could prove key to smartphone makers as 2016 shapes up to be another tough year: researcher TrendForce expects the smartphone market growth to slow to 8.1 percent from 10.3 percent a year earlier.
Margin pressures are also expected to intensify for the industry as Chinese manufacturers seek to expand overseas to counter slowing domestic demand.
Samsung on Saturday said its mobile payments service, Samsung Pay, will launch in China in March, a month after Apple launched its Apple Pay service in the world's biggest smartphone market.
The company fell out of the top five in the world's top smartphone market last year but hopes that its easy-to-use payments service will help it regain sales momentum.
"The challenge you have got in the smartphone market is breaking through all that sameness. From a design and functionality perspective, everything looks and feels the same," said Bob O'Donnell, president of Technalysis Research.
"So the challenge is finding things that stick out."
(This version of the story is refiled to add dropped mention of Mobile World Congress in paragraph 1)

(Additional reporting by Eric Auchard; Writing by Se Young Lee in SEOUL; Editing by Andrew Bolton and Miral Fahmy)

Nokia

Nokia signs strategic brand and intellectual property licensing agreement enabling HMD global to create new generation of Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets

Nokia Corporation

Stock Exchange Release

May 18, 2016 at 12:05 (CET +1)
Nokia signs strategic brand and intellectual property licensing agreement enabling HMD global to create new generation of Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets
Espoo, Finland - Nokia has announced plans that will see the Nokia brand return to the mobile phone and tablet markets on a global basis. Under a strategic agreement covering branding rights and intellectual property licensing, Nokia Technologies will grant HMD global Oy (HMD), a newly founded company based in Finland, an exclusive global license [1] to create Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets for the next ten years. Under the agreement, Nokia Technologies will receive royalty payments from HMD for sales of Nokia-branded mobile products, covering both brand and intellectual property rights.
HMD has been founded to provide a focused, independent home for a full range of Nokia-branded feature phones, smartphones and tablets. To complete its portfolio of Nokia branding rights, HMD announced today that it has conditionally agreed to acquire from Microsoft the rights to use the Nokia brand on feature phones, and certain related design rights. The Microsoft transaction is expected to close in H2 2016. Together these agreements would make HMD the sole global licensee for all types of Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets. HMD intends to invest over USD 500 million over the next three years to support the global marketing of Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets, funded via its investors and profits from the acquired feature phone business.
Nokia-branded feature phones remain one of the most popular choices of mobile phone in many markets around the world today, and HMD will continue to market them as part of an integrated portfolio alongside a new range of smartphones and tablets. HMD's new smartphone and tablet portfolio will be based on Android, uniting one of the world's iconic mobile brands with the leading mobile operating system and app development community.
As also announced today by FIH Mobile Limited (FIH), a subsidiary of Hon Hai Precision Industries (trading as Foxconn Technology Group), the remainder of Microsoft's feature phone business assets, including manufacturing, sales and distribution, would be acquired by FIH. HMD and Nokia Technologies have signed an agreement with FIH to establish a collaboration framework to support the building of a global business for Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets. This agreement will give HMD full operational control of sales, marketing and distribution of Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets, with exclusive access to the pre-eminent global sales and distribution network to be acquired from Microsoft by FIH, access to FIH's world-leading device manufacturing, supply chain and engineering capabilities, and to its growing suite of proprietary mobile technologies and components.
Nokia will provide HMD with branding rights and cellular standard essential patent licenses in return for royalty payments, but will not be making a financial investment or holding equity in HMD.  Nokia Technologies will take a seat on the Board of Directors of HMD and set mandatory brand requirements and performance related provisions to ensure that all Nokia-branded products exemplify consumer expectations of Nokia devices, including quality, design and consumer focused innovation.
HMD would be led, once the Microsoft transaction closes, by Arto Nummela as CEO, who previously held senior positions at Nokia and is currently the head of Microsoft's Mobile Devices business for Greater Asia, Middle East and Africa, as well as Microsoft's global Feature Phones business. HMD's president on closing would be Florian Seiche, who is currently Senior Vice President for Europe Sales and Marketing at Microsoft Mobile, and previously held key roles at Nokia, HTC and other global brands.
Ramzi Haidamus, president of Nokia Technologies, said:

"Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Nokia brand in an industry where Nokia remains a truly iconic name. Instead of Nokia returning to manufacturing mobile phones itself, HMD plans to produce mobile phones and tablets that can leverage and grow the value of the Nokia brand in global markets. Working with HMD and FIH will let us participate in one of the largest consumer electronics markets in the world while staying true to our licensing business model."
Arto Nummela, CEO-designate of HMD, said:

"We will be completely focused on creating a unified range of Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets, which we know will resonate with consumers. Branding has become a critical differentiator in mobile phones, which is why our business model is centered on the unique asset of the Nokia brand and our extensive experience in sales and marketing. We will work with world class providers in manufacturing and distribution to move quickly and deliver what customers want."
Vincent Tong, Chairman of FIH, added:

"We are looking forward to fostering a strong and long-term collaboration with HMD global and Nokia. We are impressed by the experience and expertise of the HMD management team and are committed to supporting them with our manufacturing, technology and supply chain capabilities, to capture market opportunities together in the future."
1 Excluding Japan
About Nokia Technologies

Nokia Technologies (TECH) is Nokia's advanced technology and licensing business. Formed in 2014, TECH builds upon Nokia's solid foundation of industry-leading licensing and technology R&D capabilities. By focusing on Digital Health, Digital Media, Brand Licensing, and Patent Licensing, TECH is expanding the human possibilities of the ever-evolving world of technology. In 2015, Nokia Technologies launched OZO, the world's first virtual reality (VR) camera designed for professionals.
About Nokia 

Nokia is a global leader in the technologies that connect people and things. Powered by the innovation of Bell Labs and Nokia Technologies, the company is at the forefront of creating and licensing the technologies that are increasingly at the heart of our connected lives.
With state-of-the-art software, hardware and services for any type of network, Nokia is uniquely positioned to help communication service providers, governments, and large enterprises deliver on the promise of 5G, the Cloud and the Internet of Things. http://nokia.com
About HMD global

Registered and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, HMD is a new private venture founded to create a new generation of Nokia-branded mobile devices. HMD is run by a group of experienced industry leaders, including CEO Arto Nummela, previously of Nokia and currently the head of Microsoft's Mobile Devices business for Greater Asia, Middle East and Africa as well as Microsoft's global Feature Phones business, and President Florian Seiche, who is currently Senior Vice President for Europe Sales and Marketing at Microsoft Mobile, and previously held key roles at Nokia, HTC and other global brands.

www.hmdglobal.com
ENQUIRIES
Media Enquiries:

Nokia Communications

Tel. +358 (0) 10 448 4900

Email: press.services@nokia.com
Brunswick (adviser to Nokia Technologies)

Tel. +44 (0) 20 7404 5959 (London)

Tel. +1 (415) 671 7676 (San Francisco)

Tel. +86 (10) 5960-8600 (Beijing)
Investor Enquiries:

Nokia Investor Relations

Tel. +358 4080 3 4080

Email: investor.relations@nokia.com
RISKS AND FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
It should be noted that Nokia and its businesses are exposed to various risks and uncertainties and certain statements herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those regarding: A) expectations, plans or benefits related to our strategies and growth management; B) expectations, plans or benefits related to future performance of our businesses; C) expectations regarding market developments, general economic conditions and structural changes; D) expectations and targets regarding financial performance, results, operating expenses, taxes, cost savings and competitiveness, as well as results of operations including targeted synergies and those related to market share, prices, net sales, income and margins; E) timing of the deliveries of our products and services, including expected deliveries of Nokia-branded products collaboration and partnering arrangements; F) expectations and targets regarding collaboration and partnering arrangements, as well as our expected customer reach; G) expectations regarding restructurings, investments, uses of proceeds from transactions, acquisitions and divestments and our ability to achieve the financial and operational targets set in  connection with any such restructurings, investments, divestments and acquisitions; and H) statements preceded by or including "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "foresee," "sees," "target," "estimate," "designed," "aim," "plans," "intends," "focus," "continue," "project," "should," "will" or similar expressions. These statements are based on the management's best assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Because they involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from the results that we currently expect. Factors, including risks and uncertainties, that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: 1) our ability to execute our strategy, sustain or improve the operational and financial performance of our business or correctly identify or successfully pursue business opportunities or growth; 2) our dependence on general economic and market conditions and other developments in the economies where we operate; 3) our dependence on the development of the industries in which we operate, including the telecommunications industry; 4) our exposure to regulatory, political or other developments in various countries or regions, including emerging markets and the associated risks in relation to healthcare, tax matters and exchange controls, among others; 5) our ability to effectively and profitably compete and invest in new competitive high-quality products, services, upgrades and technologies and bring them to market in a timely manner; 6) our dependence on a limited number of customers and large multi-year agreements; 7) Nokia Technologies' ability to maintain and establish new sources of patent licensing income and IPR-related revenues, particularly in the smartphone market; 8) our dependence on IPR technologies, including those that we have developed and those that are licensed to us, and the risk of associated IPR-related legal claims, licensing costs and restrictions on use; 9) our exposure to direct and indirect regulation, economic or trade policies, and the reliability of our governance, internal controls and compliance processes to prevent regulatory penalties; 10) our reliance on third-party solutions for data storage and the distribution of products and services, which expose us to risks relating to security, regulation and cybersecurity breaches; 11) Nokia Technologies' ability to generate net sales and profitability through licensing of the Nokia brand, the development and sales of products and services, as well as other business ventures which may not materialize as planned; 12) our ability to retain, motivate, develop and recruit appropriately skilled employees; 13) our ability to manage our manufacturing, service creation, delivery, logistics and supply chain processes, and the risk related to our geographically concentrated production sites; 14) exchange rate fluctuations; 15) inefficiencies, breaches, malfunctions or disruptions of information technology systems; 16) our ability to achieve targeted benefits from or successfully implement planned transactions, as well as the liabilities related thereto; 17) performance failures by our partners or failure to agree to partnering arrangements with third parties; and 18) our ability to manage and improve our financial and operating performance, cost savings, competitiveness and synergy benefits after the acquisition of Alcatel Lucent, as well as the risk factors specified on pages 69 to 87 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 1, 2016 under "Operating and financial review and prospects-Risk factors", as well as in Nokia's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Other unknown or unpredictable factors or underlying assumptions subsequently proven to be incorrect could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.
 

Current Nexus Devices


Speaking to Google at the Android team's office hours event, we learned that Android N's new seamless update feature, borrowed from Chrome OS, will not be introduced on any current Nexus devices. While the benefits of seamless updates' usage of dual system partitions to allow updates to the OS proceed in the background are substantial, they're also a bit of a technical bear to put on existing smartphones. Implementing seamless updates on the Nexus 5X or 6P, for example, would require repartitioning the entire phone, and wouldn't be possible for an end user to complete without hooking the phone up to a computer, allegedly - it would just be a pain, in short. While references to seamless updates have been found in the latest N developer preview, it was confirmed to us that these have no bearing on existing devices getting seamless updates.
As such, it's exceedingly unlikely we'll see seamless updates implemented on any existing Android devices by any manufacturer, and instead that we'll only see it on new hardware running N or above out of the box going forward. For example, on new Nexus devices later this year.
Seamless updates borrows an update method from Chrome OS in which two system partitions live on the device at any one time. While one partition is in use by the phone at any one time, the other is free to be updated by the system, so an OS update can be downloaded and installed completely in the background, at which point the user reboots the device and the update will feel little slower than, say, a hard reboot.
While it's a bit disappointing that current devices won't get it, the practicalities of the situation (ie, the potential of someone inadvertently bricking a $500+ phone) are what they are, and it's easy to see why Google wouldn't go through the trouble - there's really no good business reason for them to do so. But hey, it's something to look forward to, just not on current devices

What We Expect CONTENTS What We Expect Part Leaks Case Leaks, Design Drawings and Renderings Design No Headphone Jack Wireless Earphones Smart Connector? iPhone 7 vs. iPhone 7 Plus vs. "iPhone Pro" Dual-Lens Camera Details RAM Storage Space Wireless Charging Other Features LTE Speeds Battery Life Display Improvements EMI Shielding and Chip Packaging Release Date Beyond the iPhone 7 iPhone 7 Timeline Apple won't release its next-generation iPhone until the fall of 2016, so there are still months of development ahead. For the current time, Apple's flagship iPhones are the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus, released to the public in September of 2015. Though it will be several months before the new iPhone 7 launches, rumors about the device started trickling out in January of 2016. We've already gleaned many details about the upcoming iPhone, giving us some information on what to expect when it debuts. Since the 3GS launched in 2009, Apple has used an alternating "S" naming formula to mark years where the iPhone does not receive a major redesign, saving its numbered upgrades for years where design changes are introduced. Releases have been as follows: 2007 - iPhone 2008 - iPhone 3G 2009 - iPhone 3GS 2010 - iPhone 4 (new design) 2011 - iPhone 4s 2012 - iPhone 5 (new design) 2013 - iPhone 5s 2014 - iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (new design) 2015 - iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus The next-generation iPhone is expected to be called the iPhone 7. 2015 marked an "S" iPhone upgrade year that introduced new features such as an improved camera and a better processor, but 2016 will bring an even-year upgrade that will include a new iPhone design in addition to new features. Apple will continue releasing two versions of each iPhone, so we can expect to see an iPhone 7 and an iPhone 7 Plus in 2016. Apple is said to be planning to stick to the 4.7- and 5.5-inch screen sizes it first introduced with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Apple is still working on finalizing the iPhone 7's body so we don't know exactly what it will look like, but multiple rumors suggest it will be a modest update that continues to use a design similar to the design of the iPhone 6s. It is said to have the same general shape as the iPhone 6s, but it may have a camera that protrudes less (though rumors currently disagree on this point). Antenna bands across the back of the device have been removed, but are expected to remain at the top, bottom, and sides of the iPhone. iphone_7_render_mr Mockup of iPhone 7 case showing possible flush rear camera and no antenna bands across rear. Some rumors suggest Apple is aiming to make the iPhone 7 thinner, perhaps through the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack and the implementation of a thinner Lightning port, but other rumors suggest the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will have a body that is the same thickness as the iPhone 6s. With no headphone jack, wired headphones will connect to the iPhone 7 using its Lightning port and Bluetooth headphones will connect wirelessly. Apple is rumored to be working on Lightning-equipped EarPods to sell alongside the iPhone 7. Blueprints and an image of a device said to be the iPhone 7 Plus have surfaced depicting a Smart Connector on the back of the shell, suggesting that is another potential feature, but it is not yet clear what it would be used for and other rumors have said it will not be included. If the Smart Connector rumors are accurate, it will be a feature limited to the larger-screened model. Internal specs for the iPhone 7 aren't yet known, but we can speculate Apple will continue on its path of introducing more powerful, efficient devices with each design iteration. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are expected to include next-generation A10 processors manufactured by TSMC. There are rumored to be some distinguishing features between the iPhone 7 and the larger-screened iPhone 7 Plus. The iPhone 7 may ship with 2GB RAM, while the iPhone 7 Plus could include 3GB RAM, and there is said to be a different camera system in the iPhone 7 Plus that uses two cameras instead of one with 2-3x optical zoom and improved performance in low-light conditions. The iPhone 7 will likely continue to use a standard single-lens camera as multiple sources have said the dual lens camera is exclusive to the 5.5-inch iPhone. Part Leaks An image depicting a Lightning cable assembly that could potentially be destined for the iPhone 7 surfaced in early May, which is notable because it features a headphone jack. The part is similar in design to the Lightning cable assembly for the iPhone 6s but not identical. While it could be an iPhone 7 part, its origin cannot be confirmed so it is not clear if it is indeed a legitimate iPhone 7 component. Jack-iPhone7-vs-iPhone6s-HighLights If it is a valid part, it suggests reports that Apple will eliminate the headphone jack are incorrect or partially incorrect. Apple could leave the headphone jack in place on both the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus rendering rumors fully wrong, or remove it on just the larger iPhone 7 Plus, leaving it intact on the iPhone 7. The component does not mesh with multiple rumors pointing towards the removal of the headphone jack, so it should be viewed with some skepticism until confirmed as an actual part. A photo of a full device said to be the iPhone 7 Plus was leaked on a Chinese website in March. It features a design similar in shape to the iPhone 6s, but without rear antenna bands. It has a protruding, pill-shaped camera enclosure that includes two cameras inside, as is rumored for the larger-screened device, along with a round flash. It also depicts a Smart Connector on the back of the iPhone, which is an unusual inclusion. There's a Smart Connector on the iPad Pro for connecting accessories, but it is unclear how a similar feature would be used on iPhones. According to Japanese site Mac Otakara, Apple has decided not to include a Smart Connector in either iPhone 7 model, but it's also been seen in iPhone 7 Plus blueprints. iphone_7_plus_rear It is not known if this is a genuine iPhone 7 Plus prototype, a dummy based on iPhone 7 Plus specifications, or a completely fake device, but it's possible this is our first full look at Apple's new iPhone design. As September nears, additional rumors will confirm whether or not this is a genuine image. Images depicting what could potentially be the dual-lens camera component for the iPhone 7 Plus surfaced from multiple sources in the early months of 2016. The part has an "821" number on it, which has been associated with Apple in the past, suggesting it could be a legitimate component. dual_camera_photo An image of the battery said to be for the iPhone 7 lists a capacity of 7.04 watt-hours. That's slightly larger than the equivalent battery capacity listed for the iPhone 6s (6.61 watt-hours) and almost identical to the iPhone 6 (7.01 watt-hours). Voltage is not visible on the alleged iPhone 7 battery, so the exact charge capacity is not yet available, but should be similar to the iPhone 6 battery. battery1 We've seen a backlight assembly said to be destined for the iPhone 7, which surfaced in January of 2016. We can't really glean any information about the iPhone 7 from the backlight component, but it is similar in design to the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus backlight assembly with the exception of relocated LCD flex cables and 3D Touch chip. iPhone-7-Backlight-Assembly Case Leaks, Design Drawings and Renderings iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus blueprints reportedly sourced directly from Taiwan-based Apple supplier Catcher were leaked in May, appearing to confirm the removal of the headphone jack in both models. The two devices will also include protruding cameras, with the iPhone 7 using a larger single camera and the iPhone 7 Plus adopting a dual-lens camera as has been rumored. There is no second speaker in place to replace the headphone jack, casting doubt on rumors suggesting the devices will have stereo sound. iPhone-7-CAD iPhone 7 blueprint The first image (above) depicts the blueprint of the iPhone 7, with no Smart Connector located on the rear of the device. There have been conflicting rumors on whether the iPhone 7 will include a Smart Connector, but the second blueprint (below) depicts the iPhone 7 Plus with a Smart Connector, suggesting the larger-screened iPhone will include the connector while the smaller iPhone 7 will not. iPhone-7-Plus-CAD iPhone 7 Plus blueprint Both devices continue to feature a design similar to the design of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, which is in line with past rumors. The antenna bands are not pictured in the images, but previous rumors suggest they will be removed from the back of the device while remaining present on the sides of the device. A third image also allegedly sourced from Apple manufacturer Catcher Technology featuring the iPhone 7 depicts the same design changes. Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 08.28.29 The schematic features the same expanded camera hole, with a slightly protruding lens that is less pronounced than the protruding lens in the iPhone 6s. The Catcher images do not appear to depict a device that is significantly thinner, casting some doubt on rumors suggesting the iPhone 7 could be up to a millimeter thinner than the iPhone 6s and as thin as the 6.1mm iPod touch. Nowhereelse.fr's Steve Hemmerstoffer created a rendering of the camera design based on the above Catcher schematic, which can be seen below, giving us a better look at the camera design changes on the iPhone 7. iPhone 7 mock-up Feld & Volk, a company that creates luxury enclosures for the iPhone, has used a leaked image of what is said to be the iPhone 7 Plus (depicted in the section above) to create a set of detailed renderings that give a clearer picture of what the larger-screened device might look like. fv_iphone_7_render_side_carbon The renderings depict a phone that is thinner than the iPhone 6s with a protruding dual camera, a Smart Connector like on the iPad Pro, and relocated antenna bands. feldandvolkrenders Japanese magazine MacFan published design drawings of the iPhone 7 Plus, which are in line with rumors that the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will feature largely the same design as the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. The schematic, which depicts the 5.5-inch iPhone, says the iPhone 7 Plus will measure in at 158.22mm x 77.94mm x 7.3mm, identical to the dimensions of the iPhone 6s Plus. macfaniphone7plus The design drawings also depict the dual camera setup rumored for the iPhone 7 Plus and no headphone jack. Not pictured is a second speaker to replace the headphone jack, which disagrees with some rumors suggesting stereo sound will be an included feature. A sketch of the iPhone 7 from a French website includes the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the device, again pointing towards an iPhone that is the same length and width as the iPhone 6s (5.44 inches long and 2.64 inches wide). Thickness is not included in the design drawing and previous rumors have disagreed on whether or not the new iPhone 7 will be thinner than the iPhone 6s. The sketch also appears to depict a slightly larger camera, which agrees with rumors suggesting the smaller-screened iPhone 7 will include a larger camera sensor. iPhone-7-design-drawing The first alleged case for the iPhone 7 surfaced in March, with the overall design appearing to be similar to the iPhone 6s. It features the same pill-shaped volume buttons and side-located power buttons, but it has cutouts for two speakers, in line with one rumor suggesting the iPhone 7 will have stereo speakers. iPhone-7-OnLeaks-Case The two speaker cutouts replace the cutout for a headphone jack, which is said to be eliminated in the iPhone 7 in favor of an all-in-one Lightning port, but later rumors have suggested there will only be a single speaker. The iPhone 7 case was compared to an iPhone 6s on YouTube, and while the older device fit into the iPhone 7 case (suggesting the new phone won't be dramatically thinner), there were some differences. The iPhone 7 case appears to have a larger opening for the camera, which could be designed to accommodate a larger single-lens camera on the iPhone 7. Because the iPhone 6s fit almost perfectly into the iPhone 7 case, it's possible that it won't be as thin as some rumors have suggested. Early cases for new devices are often based on schematics obtained from factory workers and other inside sources and can give a solid picture of upcoming iPhone designs, but they are not accurate 100 percent of the time. Design The iPhone 7 may be somewhat thinner than the iPhone 6s, but exactly how thin remains in question. Apple may use the elimination of the headphone jack, advances in chip packing technology, and a slimmer Lightning port to cut down on the thickness of the device. One rumor has suggested the iPhone 7 will be between 6.0mm and 6.5mm, but leaked renderings and cases do not appear to depict a device that thin, and design drawings from Japanese magazine MacFan feature no reduction in thickness at all. Information obtained by MacRumors and confirmed by additional reports indicates the iPhone 7's body will be similar to the iPhone 6s, adopting the same general design language. Apple is planning to change the design of the antenna bands on the device, doing away with the thick white antenna bands that are located across the back of the Phone 6s rear shell. The bands located at the top, bottom, and sides of the device are rumored to remain on the iPhone 7, but the rear bands are eliminated for a cleaner look. As for the thinner Lightning port, while Apple plans to slim it down, it will continue to be compatible with existing the Lightning connector and Lightning cables. iphone7mockupantennabands A mockup of what the iPhone 7 may look like. It is said to have a design similar to the iPhone 6s, with a slightly thinner body and no antenna bands across the middle of device's rear shell. Rumors on the rear camera have varied. Some rumors point towards a camera that protrudes less or not at all, while an image of an alleged iPhone 7 Plus features a camera that continues to protrude. The iPhone 7 will feature a larger camera sensor while the iPhone 7 Plus will include a dual-lens camera. Some unconfirmed rumors about the iPhone 7's design suggest it could have a strengthened, water resistant frame that ditches Apple's traditional aluminum casing for "new compound materials while also incorporating a touch sensitive Home button, but these rumors do not mesh with information pointing towards minor design changes. A report from >Mac Otakara says the iPhone 7 will use the same aluminum that's used in the iPhone 6s and it will be no more water resistant, while multiple reports from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo point towards a modest update for the iPhone 7 without "many attractive selling points." No Headphone Jack lightningheadphonejack Apple may be able to decrease the thickness of the iPhone 7 by eliminating the headphone jack and instead adopting an all-in-one Lightning port that will support both charging and music playback with Lightning-equipped headphones. Rumors about the removal of the headphone jack have come from several distinct sources, but there is still some doubt because an image said to depict the Lightning cable assembly of the iPhone 7 features a headphone jack. It is not clear if the image is a legitimate part, but if it is, it a headphone jack could be present in both the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus or just the iPhone 7. If the headphone jack is removed in the iPhone 7, headphones will need a Lightning connector or a 3.5mm jack-to-Lightning adapter to connect to the Lightning port on the bottom of the phone. The device will also support wireless Bluetooth headphones. In addition to allowing Apple to perhaps shave some thickness off of the iPhone 7 and save valuable internal space, requiring headphones to connect through the Lightning port will boost overall audio quality. Apple is rumored to be considering some new noise-canceling technology to remove background noise during music playback and phone calls, but rumors have disagreed on whether this will be introduced in the iPhone 7 or the next-generation iPhone. In the video below, we took a look at several sets of Lightning-equipped headphones to explore the benefits and downsides of the removal of the headphone jack in the iPhone 7. Apple is rumored to be working on its own Lightning-equipped EarPods that will ship alongside the iPhone 7. They will be similar to the existing EarPods that are included in the iPhone box, but with a Lightning connector instead of a headphone jack. One rumor suggests the EarPods will connect to the iPhone using Bluetooth, but will charge through the device's Lightning port, much like the Apple Pencil charges through the Lightning port of the iPad Pro. As for the empty space left by the headphone jack, Apple may be planning to replace it with a second speaker to introduce stereo sound in the iPhone 7 by adding an additional speaker, but rumors disagree on whether or not stereo speakers will actually be included and stereo speakers have not been seen in design blueprints. WIRELESS EARPHONES Along with Lightning-equipped EarPods that will be made available with the iPhone 7, Apple is rumored to be working on a new set of wireless Bluetooth earphones that would be sold alongside the iPhone 7 as a premium accessory and alternative to the EarPods. While traditional Bluetooth headphones have a wire that connects the left and right ear pieces to each other, Apple is said to be designing earphones that do not include a connective cord between the ear pieces. These earphones would be similar in design to the Bragi Dash, an upcoming set of earphones that features individual ear pieces for each ear. bragidash Apple is rumored to be working on wireless earphones that could look similar to the Bragi Dash The wireless earphones, which have a battery life of approximately four hours due to the separate chips and batteries in each one, will reportedly charge through an included carrying case that also serves as a rechargeable battery to extend battery life as much as possible. Smart Connector? An image of a device said to be the iPhone 7 Plus has surfaced, depicting a Smart Connector on the back of the device. The Smart Connector is a feature introduced in the iPad Pro, used to connect accessories like the Smart Connector. A Smart Connector has also been pictured in design drawings from Mac Fan and in January design blueprints sourced from Apple supplier Catcher, both of which depict it as a feature limited to the iPhone 7 Plus. A rumor from Japanese site Mac Otakara suggests Apple has decided to eliminate the Smart Connector from its iPhone plans, so it is unclear whether or not the final product will include a Smart Connector. If a Smart Connector is indeed an iPhone 7 feature, it appears it will be available only in the larger 5.5-inch model. It is not known how Apple would utilize a Smart Connector in an iPhone, but it could perhaps be used for wireless charging or battery cases. iPhone 7 vs. iPhone 7 Plus vs. "iPhone Pro" With the release of the larger-screened iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple differentiated between the two devices by including Optical Image Stabilization in the iPhone 6 Plus for improved photo and video capturing abilities. The iPhone 6s Plus continued to offer Optical Image Stabilization while the iPhone 6s did not, and it appears the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus could also see different features, mainly when it comes to the camera -- the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 is said to have a regular single-lens camera while the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus is said to incorporate a dual-lens camera. Early iPhone 7 Plus rumors suggested Apple was working on two iPhone 7 Plus models, one with a single camera and one with a dual-lens camera, but KGI Securities Ming-Chi Kuo, the source of those rumors, later reversed his prediction. Apple is expected to introduce a single 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus model with a dual-lens camera. There's also aquestionable rumor sourced from Chinese site MyDrivers suggesting the dual-lens iPhone 7 Plus with Smart Connector could actually be dubbed the "iPhone Pro" instead of the "iPhone 7 Plus," but this naming theory was tied to the rumors indicating Apple would release two iPhone models and may now be inaccurate. DUAL-LENS CAMERA DETAILS The cameras in the dual-lens iPhone 7 Plus is said to take advantage of technology Apple acquired through the purchase of Israeli camera company LinX Imaging last year. Image quality in the iPhone 7 Plus could be greatly improved with the introduction of a dual-lens system, narrowing the gap between photos taken with the iPhone and those taken with a more robust DSLR cameras. iPhone-7-Dual-Camera iPhone 7 mockup with dual-lens camera system (Image: Computer Bild) LinX dual-lens technology offers several potential benefits for the iPhone 7 Plus, with rumors specifically pointing towards 2-3x optical zoom capabilities, perhaps implemented through the use of two lenses with different focal lengths. With a dual-lens camera system, images captured are clearer and brighter with less noise and truer color, allowing for pictures that include more detail, especially in low light conditions. linxlownoise An example of LinX's noise reduction technology. Far more detail is preserved in the LinX image on the right compared to the iPhone 5 image on the left. There's a possibility that a dual-lens system like the one LinX created could be used for depth mapping, allowing users to do things like take 3D scans of real world items or use depth information to refocus an image. For additional information on what LinX technology could mean for the iPhone 7, make sure to check out our in-depth LinX post. Implementing LinX's camera system in the iPhone 7 Plus would potentially allow Apple to cut down on the size of the camera module, doing away with the protruding rear camera lens. An example of how a dual-lens camera could potentially improve photos taken with the iPhone 7 Plus can be seen in the below video demonstration of similar technology from Corephotonics. Corephotonics' dual-lens system uses a wide-angle lens and a lens capable of 5X optical zoom and aggregates data from both to get a better picture. We at MacRumors have created a video mockup that outlines what a dual-camera interface could look like in the Camera app on the iPhone, based on a recent Apple patent. In the patent, Apple outlines a split-screen interface with one side displaying the standard view from a wide-angle camera and another side displaying a zoomed-in view from an additional lens with a longer focal length. Pictures and video could be captured with both views simultaneously. As for the camera in the iPhone 7, there's no word on what improvements may be introduced. If the iPhone 7 Plus is set to see major gains in image quality, it stands to reason the iPhone 7 will also see significant improvement, even if it is implemented outside of a dual-lens system. Renderings and drawings the iPhone 7 depict a larger camera cutout, perhaps to accommodate an improved sensor. RAM According to another prediction from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus may have differing amounts of RAM. The smaller 4.7-inch iPhone 7 may ship with 2GB of RAM, while the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus may ship with 3GB RAM. 3GB of RAM in the iPhone 7 Plus will reportedly be used to compensate for the increased image processing demands of the dual-lens camera. STORAGE SPACE Storage space may also be a differentiating factor between the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus. An unconfirmed rumor suggests the larger iPhone 7 Plus could include a high-end 256GB storage option that would not be available with the iPhone 7. 256GB is a capacity that is not offered in any of Apple's current iOS devices, so it is questionable as to whether Apple would introduce such a high-capacity iPhone, but a 256GB SanDisk flash storage chip possibly appropriate for use in an iPhone has been spotted. The rumor did not include a mention of other storage tiers that would be available for the two devices. Wireless Charging With the Lightning port being used for music playback, there will be no way to charge the iPhone 7 while headphones are plugged in, which has sparked some speculation about wireless charging. According to one rumor, Apple is exploring wireless charging technology that could potentially be included in the iPhone 7. While Apple is said to be looking into wireless charging for the iPhone 7, there is no guarantee the feature will make it into the finished product, and wireless charging may be a feature pushed back to the 2017 iPhone. It is also not clear what method Apple would use to implement wireless charging. Other Features LTE SPEEDS Apple is said to be sourcing some LTE modems for the iPhone 7 from Intel, perhaps adopting the Intel 7360 LTE modem and introducing faster LTE speeds on the device. The chip features faster theoretical downlink speeds of up to 450 MB/s, uplink speeds of up to 100 MB/s, and support for LTE category 10 and 29 bands. Intel will supply at least 50 percent of the LTE chips for the iPhone 7. BATTERY LIFE Battery life in the iPhone 7 could be similar to or slightly better than battery life in the iPhone 6s. An image of the battery said to be for the iPhone 7 lists a capacity of 7.04 watt-hours, almost identical to the iPhone 6 which had a 7.01 watt-hour battery that was a bit larger than the 6.61 watt-hour battery in the iPhone 6s. DISPLAY IMPROVEMENTS Apple is rumored to be working on AMOLED displays for future iPhones, but the technology will not be ready for the iPhone 7. The iPhone 7 will continue to use the same TFT-LCD display technology used in the iPhone 6s. Based on display improvements introduced in the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, DisplayMate's Ray Soneira speculates the iPhone 7 display could include similar features, as Apple often expands display advancements across its entire product lineup. He believes improvements could potentially include the DCI-P3 Wide Color gamut, introducing more vivid, true-to-life colors, and an improved anti-reflection coating to lower screen reflectance for better performance in high ambient light. True Tone, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro feature that adjusts the color temperature of the display to match ambient lighting, could also potentially be included if Apple "upgrades the ambient light sensors so they measure color in addition to brightness." A rumor from Mac Otakara suggests the iPhone 7 will include two new sensors on the front of the device, which could potentially be related to True Tone display capabilities. EMI SHIELDING AND CHIP PACKAGING Apple is planning to implement improved electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding techniques in the iPhone 7, with the goal of individually shielding most of the major chips in the device. EMI shields are used in iPhones and all other electronic devices to prevent wireless interference between different products. Improved EMI shielding will perhaps allow Apple to place the various chips in the iPhone 7 closer together, allowing it to shrink down the device or leave room for new components or a larger battery. Apple is said to be planning to use a new fan-out packaging technology for the antenna switching module and radio frequency chip in the iPhone 7, which is a feature that allows the iPhone to switch between LTE and other antennas like GSM and CDMA. Fan-out packaging technology allows for a greater number of I/O terminals while cutting down on chip size. Using this packaging method, along with single-chip EMI shields, Apple will be able to fit more components into a single package while minimizing signal loss and also cutting down on the potential for interference in wireless communication. Release Date Apple typically introduces its new flagship iPhones in the fall during the month of September, and it's likely the company will continue to use the same release pattern for the iPhone 7. We expect to see the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus debut in the fall of 2016. Apple plans to rely on multiple manufacturing partners to assemble the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, including Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron, so it's able to meet demand for the device. Foxconn and Pegatron will assemble the 4.7-inch model, while Foxconn and Wistron will assemble the 5.5-inch model. Foxconn and Pegatron have already begun hiring new employees to prepare for the launch of the iPhone 7. Hiring is said to have started early because of a "more complex" build, possibly due to the dual cameras rumored for the larger-screened device. Beyond the iPhone 7 The iPhone 7 hasn't launched yet, but we're already hearing rumors about iPhones that will be released in 2017 and beyond. Apple is said to be working on flexible OLED displays for future versions of the iPhone, at a secret lab it's opened in Taiwan. Apple is also developing more advanced versions of liquid crystal displays, working on a technology called Micro-LED. Starting in late 2015, Apple began pursuing OLED partnerships with LG Display and Samsung. Apple ultimately inked a deal with Samsung in April of 2016 that will see Samsung providing 5.5-inch OLED display panels to Apple for future iPhones. Rumors also suggest Apple may also be planning to invest in AMOLED supplier AU Optronics as a source of displays for future iPhones, indicating Apple is pursuing multiple options for next-generation display technology. Both OLED and Micro-LED technologies eliminate the need for the backlighting that's used in traditional LCDs, which would potentially allow Apple to cut down on the size of its iOS devices. Micro-LED suffers from low yields and OLED has a shorter life span, so they are both technologies that are not quite ready for near-future iPhone upgrades. Rumors originally said Apple would introduce OLED displays in 2018, but its plans may have been pushed up. Apple may now be aiming to introduce the first OLED displays in iPhones at the end of 2017 instead of 2018. Rumors suggest a 2017 or 2018 iPhone could include a 5.8-inch OLED display. One display expert speculates that one option for this screen size could be an iPhone with a wraparound screen. hone When applied to the height of an existing 5.5-inch iPhone, a 5.8-inch display like the one Apple is rumored to be working on would leave an extra 7.25mm of display on each side that could be used to wrap around the edges of the device. This would extend the display across the front and sides of the iPhone, perhaps enabling side-based gestures and buttons. We don't know what shape an iPhone with side bars could take, but the rumored 5.8-inch size of the display is about right to add side panels to current-generation iPhones. The 2017 OLED display rumors and the 5.8-inch screen have been seconded by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who often has reliable information on Apple's plans. According to Kuo, the 2017 iPhone will introduce a 5.8-inch curved glass AMOLED display paired with a curved glass casing. Apple is said to be planning to move away from an all-aluminum body, readopting the glass-backed design used in the iPhone 4 and the 4s and taking it "to the next level." A return to a glass body will allow Apple to differentiate itself from competitors who have largely switched over to aluminum. Kuo does not believe this will heavily impact weight and durability, with weight additions mitigated through the adoption of a slimmer OLED display. Wireless charging and biometric recognitions (facial or iris) are also features Kuo is predicting for the 2017 iPhone. Apple blogger John Gruber says he's heard "scuttlebutt" suggesting the 2017 iPhone will feature an all new form factor with an edge-to-edge display that includes an embedded Touch ID sensor, doing away with the Home button, and an embedded front-facing camera that's invisible to the eye. The display will reportedly reach from the top of the iPhone to the bottom of the iPhone, but it's not clear if Apple will shrink the iPhone down to the size of the display or expand the size of the display to match the existing iPhone sizes. iphoneconceptimage Edge-to-edge iPhone concept image via ConceptsiPhone Apple has been working on developing touch and display driver integration (TTDI) chips since 2015, which would allow the company to introduce an iPhone without a home button, instead integrating Touch ID fingerprint recognition into the display of the device. Based on some of the significant changes that are rumored to be coming in 2017, Barclays analyst Mark Moskowitz believes Apple will skip its traditional "S" upgrade cycle in 2017, jumping straight to the iPhone 8 instead of the iPhone 7s. Moskowitz also predicts the iPhone will include an OLED display, completely altered form factor, and no home button. This is in line with rumors pointing towards significant changes in the 2017 iPhone and modest changes in the iPhone 7, plus it is a possibility as 2017 will mark the 10th anniversary of the iPhone. Samsung is rumored to be planning to start supplying Apple with NAND flash memory starting in 2017, suggesting it could be ready in time for the 2017 iPhone. TSMC is completing designs for the 10-nanometer A11 chip that is destined for the 2017 iPhone. TSMC is expected to deliver the first 10-nanometer A11 chip samples to Apple in the first quarter of 2017. Apple is also rumored to be working on long-range wireless charging technology that could be implemented in phones as soon as 2017. Long-range wireless charging is superior to many existing wireless charging methods because it does not require devices to be as close to a charging source or mat. There are some obstacles to overcome before such technology can be implemented, such as the loss of power transfer efficiency that occurs when the distance between the transmitter and the receiver is increased. This causes batteries further away from a charging source to charge more slowly.

What We Expect

Apple won't release its next-generation iPhone until the fall of 2016, so there are still months of development ahead. For the current time, Apple's flagship iPhones are the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus, released to the public in September of 2015.
Though it will be several months before the new iPhone 7 launches, rumors about the device started trickling out in January of 2016. We've already gleaned many details about the upcoming iPhone, giving us some information on what to expect when it debuts.
Since the 3GS launched in 2009, Apple has used an alternating "S" naming formula to mark years where the iPhone does not receive a major redesign, saving its numbered upgrades for years where design changes are introduced. Releases have been as follows:
2007 - iPhone
2008 - iPhone 3G
2009 - iPhone 3GS
2010 - iPhone 4 (new design)
2011 - iPhone 4s
2012 - iPhone 5 (new design)
2013 - iPhone 5s
2014 - iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (new design)
2015 - iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus
The next-generation iPhone is expected to be called the iPhone 7. 2015 marked an "S" iPhone upgrade year that introduced new features such as an improved camera and a better processor, but 2016 will bring an even-year upgrade that will include a new iPhone design in addition to new features.
Apple will continue releasing two versions of each iPhone, so we can expect to see an iPhone 7 and an iPhone 7 Plus in 2016. Apple is said to be planning to stick to the 4.7- and 5.5-inch screen sizes it first introduced with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
Apple is still working on finalizing the iPhone 7's body so we don't know exactly what it will look like, but multiple rumors suggest it will be a modest update that continues to use a design similar to the design of the iPhone 6s. It is said to have the same general shape as the iPhone 6s, but it may have a camera that protrudes less (though rumors currently disagree on this point). Antenna bands across the back of the device have been removed, but are expected to remain at the top, bottom, and sides of the iPhone.
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Mockup of iPhone 7 case showing possible flush rear camera and no antenna bands across rear.
Some rumors suggest Apple is aiming to make the iPhone 7 thinner, perhaps through the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack and the implementation of a thinner Lightning port, but other rumors suggest the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will have a body that is the same thickness as the iPhone 6s.
With no headphone jack, wired headphones will connect to the iPhone 7 using its Lightning port and Bluetooth headphones will connect wirelessly. Apple is rumored to be working on Lightning-equipped EarPods to sell alongside the iPhone 7.
Blueprints and an image of a device said to be the iPhone 7 Plus have surfaced depicting a Smart Connector on the back of the shell, suggesting that is another potential feature, but it is not yet clear what it would be used for and other rumors have said it will not be included. If the Smart Connector rumors are accurate, it will be a feature limited to the larger-screened model.
Internal specs for the iPhone 7 aren't yet known, but we can speculate Apple will continue on its path of introducing more powerful, efficient devices with each design iteration. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are expected to include next-generation A10 processors manufactured by TSMC.
There are rumored to be some distinguishing features between the iPhone 7 and the larger-screened iPhone 7 Plus. The iPhone 7 may ship with 2GB RAM, while the iPhone 7 Plus could include 3GB RAM, and there is said to be a different camera system in the iPhone 7 Plus that uses two cameras instead of one with 2-3x optical zoom and improved performance in low-light conditions. The iPhone 7 will likely continue to use a standard single-lens camera as multiple sources have said the dual lens camera is exclusive to the 5.5-inch iPhone.

Part Leaks

An image depicting a Lightning cable assembly that could potentially be destined for the iPhone 7 surfaced in early May, which is notable because it features a headphone jack. The part is similar in design to the Lightning cable assembly for the iPhone 6s but not identical. While it could be an iPhone 7 part, its origin cannot be confirmed so it is not clear if it is indeed a legitimate iPhone 7 component.
Jack-iPhone7-vs-iPhone6s-HighLights
If it is a valid part, it suggests reports that Apple will eliminate the headphone jack are incorrect or partially incorrect. Apple could leave the headphone jack in place on both the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus rendering rumors fully wrong, or remove it on just the larger iPhone 7 Plus, leaving it intact on the iPhone 7. The component does not mesh with multiple rumors pointing towards the removal of the headphone jack, so it should be viewed with some skepticism until confirmed as an actual part.
A photo of a full device said to be the iPhone 7 Plus was leaked on a Chinese website in March. It features a design similar in shape to the iPhone 6s, but without rear antenna bands. It has a protruding, pill-shaped camera enclosure that includes two cameras inside, as is rumored for the larger-screened device, along with a round flash.
It also depicts a Smart Connector on the back of the iPhone, which is an unusual inclusion. There's a Smart Connector on the iPad Pro for connecting accessories, but it is unclear how a similar feature would be used on iPhones. According to Japanese site Mac Otakara, Apple has decided not to include a Smart Connector in either iPhone 7 model, but it's also been seen in iPhone 7 Plus blueprints.
iphone_7_plus_rear
It is not known if this is a genuine iPhone 7 Plus prototype, a dummy based on iPhone 7 Plus specifications, or a completely fake device, but it's possible this is our first full look at Apple's new iPhone design. As September nears, additional rumors will confirm whether or not this is a genuine image.
Images depicting what could potentially be the dual-lens camera component for the iPhone 7 Plus surfaced from multiple sources in the early months of 2016. The part has an "821" number on it, which has been associated with Apple in the past, suggesting it could be a legitimate component.
dual_camera_photo
An image of the battery said to be for the iPhone 7 lists a capacity of 7.04 watt-hours. That's slightly larger than the equivalent battery capacity listed for the iPhone 6s (6.61 watt-hours) and almost identical to the iPhone 6 (7.01 watt-hours). Voltage is not visible on the alleged iPhone 7 battery, so the exact charge capacity is not yet available, but should be similar to the iPhone 6 battery.
battery1
We've seen a backlight assembly said to be destined for the iPhone 7, which surfaced in January of 2016. We can't really glean any information about the iPhone 7 from the backlight component, but it is similar in design to the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus backlight assembly with the exception of relocated LCD flex cables and 3D Touch chip.
iPhone-7-Backlight-Assembly

Case Leaks, Design Drawings and Renderings

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus blueprints reportedly sourced directly from Taiwan-based Apple supplier Catcherwere leaked in May, appearing to confirm the removal of the headphone jack in both models. The two devices will also include protruding cameras, with the iPhone 7 using a larger single camera and the iPhone 7 Plus adopting a dual-lens camera as has been rumored. There is no second speaker in place to replace the headphone jack, casting doubt on rumors suggesting the devices will have stereo sound.
iPhone-7-CAD
iPhone 7 blueprint
The first image (above) depicts the blueprint of the iPhone 7, with no Smart Connector located on the rear of the device. There have been conflicting rumors on whether the iPhone 7 will include a Smart Connector, but the second blueprint (below) depicts the iPhone 7 Plus with a Smart Connector, suggesting the larger-screened iPhone will include the connector while the smaller iPhone 7 will not.
iPhone-7-Plus-CAD
iPhone 7 Plus blueprint
Both devices continue to feature a design similar to the design of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, which is in line with past rumors. The antenna bands are not pictured in the images, but previous rumors suggest they will be removed from the back of the device while remaining present on the sides of the device.
A third image also allegedly sourced from Apple manufacturer Catcher Technology featuring the iPhone 7 depicts the same design changes.
Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 08.28.29
The schematic features the same expanded camera hole, with a slightly protruding lens that is less pronounced than the protruding lens in the iPhone 6s. The Catcher images do not appear to depict a device that is significantly thinner, casting some doubt on rumors suggesting the iPhone 7 could be up to a millimeter thinner than the iPhone 6s and as thin as the 6.1mm iPod touch.
Nowhereelse.fr's Steve Hemmerstoffer created a rendering of the camera design based on the above Catcher schematic, which can be seen below, giving us a better look at the camera design changes on the iPhone 7.
iPhone 7 mock-up
Feld & Volk, a company that creates luxury enclosures for the iPhone, has used a leaked image of what issaid to be the iPhone 7 Plus (depicted in the section above) to create a set of detailed renderings that give a clearer picture of what the larger-screened device might look like.
fv_iphone_7_render_side_carbon
The renderings depict a phone that is thinner than the iPhone 6s with a protruding dual camera, a Smart Connector like on the iPad Pro, and relocated antenna bands.
feldandvolkrenders
Japanese magazine MacFan published design drawings of the iPhone 7 Plus, which are in line with rumors that the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will feature largely the same design as the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. The schematic, which depicts the 5.5-inch iPhone, says the iPhone 7 Plus will measure in at 158.22mm x 77.94mm x 7.3mm, identical to the dimensions of the iPhone 6s Plus.
macfaniphone7plus
The design drawings also depict the dual camera setup rumored for the iPhone 7 Plus and no headphone jack. Not pictured is a second speaker to replace the headphone jack, which disagrees with some rumors suggesting stereo sound will be an included feature.
sketch of the iPhone 7 from a French website includes the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the device, again pointing towards an iPhone that is the same length and width as the iPhone 6s (5.44 inches long and 2.64 inches wide). Thickness is not included in the design drawing and previous rumors have disagreed on whether or not the new iPhone 7 will be thinner than the iPhone 6s. The sketch also appears to depict a slightly larger camera, which agrees with rumors suggesting the smaller-screened iPhone 7 will include a larger camera sensor.
iPhone-7-design-drawing
The first alleged case for the iPhone 7 surfaced in March, with the overall design appearing to be similar to the iPhone 6s. It features the same pill-shaped volume buttons and side-located power buttons, but it has cutouts for two speakers, in line with one rumor suggesting the iPhone 7 will have stereo speakers.
iPhone-7-OnLeaks-Case
The two speaker cutouts replace the cutout for a headphone jack, which is said to be eliminated in the iPhone 7 in favor of an all-in-one Lightning port, but later rumors have suggested there will only be a single speaker.
The iPhone 7 case was compared to an iPhone 6s on YouTube, and while the older device fit into the iPhone 7 case (suggesting the new phone won't be dramatically thinner), there were some differences. The iPhone 7 case appears to have a larger opening for the camera, which could be designed to accommodate a larger single-lens camera on the iPhone 7.
Because the iPhone 6s fit almost perfectly into the iPhone 7 case, it's possible that it won't be as thin as some rumors have suggested.
Early cases for new devices are often based on schematics obtained from factory workers and other inside sources and can give a solid picture of upcoming iPhone designs, but they are not accurate 100 percent of the time.

Design

The iPhone 7 may be somewhat thinner than the iPhone 6s, but exactly how thin remains in question. Apple may use the elimination of the headphone jack, advances in chip packing technology, and a slimmer Lightning port to cut down on the thickness of the device. One rumor has suggested the iPhone 7 will be between 6.0mm and 6.5mm, but leaked renderings and cases do not appear to depict a device that thin, and design drawings from Japanese magazine MacFan feature no reduction in thickness at all.
Information obtained by MacRumors and confirmed by additional reports indicates the iPhone 7's body will be similar to the iPhone 6s, adopting the same general design language.
Apple is planning to change the design of the antenna bands on the device, doing away with the thick white antenna bands that are located across the back of the Phone 6s rear shell. The bands located at the top, bottom, and sides of the device are rumored to remain on the iPhone 7, but the rear bands are eliminated for a cleaner look. As for the thinner Lightning port, while Apple plans to slim it down, it will continue to be compatible with existing the Lightning connector and Lightning cables.
iphone7mockupantennabands
A mockup of what the iPhone 7 may look like. It is said to have a design similar to the iPhone 6s, with a slightly thinner body and no antenna bands across the middle of device's rear shell.
Rumors on the rear camera have varied. Some rumors point towards a camera that protrudes less or not at all, while an image of an alleged iPhone 7 Plus features a camera that continues to protrude. The iPhone 7 will feature a larger camera sensor while the iPhone 7 Plus will include a dual-lens camera.
Some unconfirmed rumors about the iPhone 7's design suggest it could have a strengthened, water resistant frame that ditches Apple's traditional aluminum casing for "new compound materials while also incorporating a touch sensitive Home button, but these rumors do not mesh with information pointing towards minor design changes.
A report from >Mac Otakara says the iPhone 7 will use the same aluminum that's used in the iPhone 6s and it will be no more water resistant, while multiple reports from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo point towards a modest update for the iPhone 7 without "many attractive selling points."

No Headphone Jack

lightningheadphonejack
Apple may be able to decrease the thickness of the iPhone 7 byeliminating the headphone jack and instead adopting an all-in-one Lightning port that will support both charging and music playback with Lightning-equipped headphones.
Rumors about the removal of the headphone jack have come from several distinct sources, but there is still some doubt because an image said to depict the Lightning cable assembly of the iPhone 7 features a headphone jack. It is not clear if the image is a legitimate part, but if it is, it a headphone jack could be present in both the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus or just the iPhone 7.
If the headphone jack is removed in the iPhone 7, headphones will need a Lightning connector or a 3.5mm jack-to-Lightning adapter to connect to the Lightning port on the bottom of the phone. The device will also support wireless Bluetooth headphones.
In addition to allowing Apple to perhaps shave some thickness off of the iPhone 7 and save valuable internal space, requiring headphones to connect through the Lightning port will boost overall audio quality. Apple is rumored to be considering some new noise-canceling technology to remove background noise during music playback and phone calls, but rumors have disagreed on whether this will be introduced in the iPhone 7 or the next-generation iPhone.
In the video below, we took a look at several sets of Lightning-equipped headphones to explore the benefits and downsides of the removal of the headphone jack in the iPhone 7.
Apple is rumored to be working on its own Lightning-equipped EarPods that will ship alongside the iPhone 7. They will be similar to the existing EarPods that are included in the iPhone box, but with a Lightning connector instead of a headphone jack. One rumor suggests the EarPods will connect to the iPhone using Bluetooth, but will charge through the device's Lightning port, much like the Apple Pencil charges through the Lightning port of the iPad Pro.
As for the empty space left by the headphone jack, Apple may be planning to replace it with a second speaker to introduce stereo sound in the iPhone 7 by adding an additional speaker, but rumors disagree on whether or not stereo speakers will actually be included and stereo speakers have not been seen in design blueprints.

WIRELESS EARPHONES

Along with Lightning-equipped EarPods that will be made available with the iPhone 7, Apple is rumored to be working on a new set of wireless Bluetooth earphones that would be sold alongside the iPhone 7 as a premium accessory and alternative to the EarPods.
While traditional Bluetooth headphones have a wire that connects the left and right ear pieces to each other, Apple is said to be designing earphones that do not include a connective cord between the ear pieces. These earphones would be similar in design to the Bragi Dash, an upcoming set of earphones that features individual ear pieces for each ear.
bragidash
Apple is rumored to be working on wireless earphones that could look similar to the Bragi Dash
The wireless earphones, which have a battery life of approximately four hours due to the separate chips and batteries in each one, will reportedly charge through an included carrying case that also serves as a rechargeable battery to extend battery life as much as possible.

Smart Connector?

An image of a device said to be the iPhone 7 Plus has surfaced, depicting a Smart Connector on the back of the device. The Smart Connector is a feature introduced in the iPad Pro, used to connect accessories like the Smart Connector.
A Smart Connector has also been pictured in design drawings from Mac Fan and in January design blueprints sourced from Apple supplier Catcher, both of which depict it as a feature limited to the iPhone 7 Plus.
A rumor from Japanese site Mac Otakara suggests Apple has decided to eliminate the Smart Connectorfrom its iPhone plans, so it is unclear whether or not the final product will include a Smart Connector. If a Smart Connector is indeed an iPhone 7 feature, it appears it will be available only in the larger 5.5-inch model.
It is not known how Apple would utilize a Smart Connector in an iPhone, but it could perhaps be used for wireless charging or battery cases.

iPhone 7 vs. iPhone 7 Plus vs. "iPhone Pro"

With the release of the larger-screened iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple differentiated between the two devices by including Optical Image Stabilization in the iPhone 6 Plus for improved photo and video capturing abilities. The iPhone 6s Plus continued to offer Optical Image Stabilization while the iPhone 6s did not, and it appears the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus could also see different features, mainly when it comes to the camera -- the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 is said to have a regular single-lens camera while the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus is said to incorporate a dual-lens camera.
Early iPhone 7 Plus rumors suggested Apple was working on two iPhone 7 Plus models, one with a single camera and one with a dual-lens camera, but KGI Securities Ming-Chi Kuo, the source of those rumors, later reversed his prediction. Apple is expected to introduce a single 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus model with a dual-lens camera.
There's also aquestionable rumor sourced from Chinese site MyDrivers suggesting the dual-lens iPhone 7 Plus with Smart Connector could actually be dubbed the "iPhone Pro" instead of the "iPhone 7 Plus," but this naming theory was tied to the rumors indicating Apple would release two iPhone models and may now be inaccurate.

DUAL-LENS CAMERA DETAILS

The cameras in the dual-lens iPhone 7 Plus is said to take advantage of technology Apple acquired through the purchase of Israeli camera company LinX Imaging last year. Image quality in the iPhone 7 Plus could be greatly improved with the introduction of a dual-lens system, narrowing the gap between photos taken with the iPhone and those taken with a more robust DSLR cameras.
iPhone-7-Dual-Camera
iPhone 7 mockup with dual-lens camera system (Image: Computer Bild)
LinX dual-lens technology offers several potential benefits for the iPhone 7 Plus, with rumors specifically pointing towards 2-3x optical zoom capabilities, perhaps implemented through the use of two lenses with different focal lengths. With a dual-lens camera system, images captured are clearer and brighter with less noise and truer color, allowing for pictures that include more detail, especially in low light conditions.
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An example of LinX's noise reduction technology. Far more detail is preserved in the LinX image on the right compared to the iPhone 5 image on the left.
There's a possibility that a dual-lens system like the one LinX created could be used for depth mapping, allowing users to do things like take 3D scans of real world items or use depth information to refocus an image. For additional information on what LinX technology could mean for the iPhone 7, make sure tocheck out our in-depth LinX post.
Implementing LinX's camera system in the iPhone 7 Plus would potentially allow Apple to cut down on the size of the camera module, doing away with the protruding rear camera lens.
An example of how a dual-lens camera could potentially improve photos taken with the iPhone 7 Plus can be seen in the below video demonstration of similar technology from Corephotonics. Corephotonics' dual-lens system uses a wide-angle lens and a lens capable of 5X optical zoom and aggregates data from both to get a better picture.
We at MacRumors have created a video mockup that outlines what a dual-camera interface could look like in the Camera app on the iPhone, based on a recent Apple patent. In the patent, Apple outlines a split-screen interface with one side displaying the standard view from a wide-angle camera and another side displaying a zoomed-in view from an additional lens with a longer focal length. Pictures and video could be captured with both views simultaneously.
As for the camera in the iPhone 7, there's no word on what improvements may be introduced. If the iPhone 7 Plus is set to see major gains in image quality, it stands to reason the iPhone 7 will also see significant improvement, even if it is implemented outside of a dual-lens system. Renderings and drawings the iPhone 7 depict a larger camera cutout, perhaps to accommodate an improved sensor.

RAM

According to another prediction from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus may have differing amounts of RAM. The smaller 4.7-inch iPhone 7 may ship with 2GB of RAM, while the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus may ship with 3GB RAM. 3GB of RAM in the iPhone 7 Plus will reportedly be used to compensate for the increased image processing demands of the dual-lens camera.

STORAGE SPACE

Storage space may also be a differentiating factor between the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus. An unconfirmed rumor suggests the larger iPhone 7 Plus could include a high-end 256GB storage option that would not be available with the iPhone 7. 256GB is a capacity that is not offered in any of Apple's current iOS devices, so it is questionable as to whether Apple would introduce such a high-capacity iPhone, but a256GB SanDisk flash storage chip possibly appropriate for use in an iPhone has been spotted. The rumor did not include a mention of other storage tiers that would be available for the two devices.

Wireless Charging

With the Lightning port being used for music playback, there will be no way to charge the iPhone 7 while headphones are plugged in, which has sparked some speculation about wireless charging. According to one rumor, Apple is exploring wireless charging technology that could potentially be included in the iPhone 7.
While Apple is said to be looking into wireless charging for the iPhone 7, there is no guarantee the feature will make it into the finished product, and wireless charging may be a feature pushed back to the 2017 iPhone. It is also not clear what method Apple would use to implement wireless charging.

Other Features

LTE SPEEDS

Apple is said to be sourcing some LTE modems for the iPhone 7 from Intel, perhaps adopting the Intel 7360 LTE modem and introducing faster LTE speeds on the device. The chip features faster theoretical downlink speeds of up to 450 MB/s, uplink speeds of up to 100 MB/s, and support for LTE category 10 and 29 bands. Intel will supply at least 50 percent of the LTE chips for the iPhone 7.

BATTERY LIFE

Battery life in the iPhone 7 could be similar to or slightly better than battery life in the iPhone 6s. An image of the battery said to be for the iPhone 7 lists a capacity of 7.04 watt-hours, almost identical to the iPhone 6 which had a 7.01 watt-hour battery that was a bit larger than the 6.61 watt-hour battery in the iPhone 6s.

DISPLAY IMPROVEMENTS

Apple is rumored to be working on AMOLED displays for future iPhones, but the technology will not be ready for the iPhone 7. The iPhone 7 will continue to use the same TFT-LCD display technology used in the iPhone 6s.
Based on display improvements introduced in the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, DisplayMate's Ray Soneira speculatesthe iPhone 7 display could include similar features, as Apple often expands display advancements across its entire product lineup.
He believes improvements could potentially include the DCI-P3 Wide Color gamut, introducing more vivid, true-to-life colors, and an improved anti-reflection coating to lower screen reflectance for better performance in high ambient light. True Tone, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro feature that adjusts the color temperature of the display to match ambient lighting, could also potentially be included if Apple "upgrades the ambient light sensors so they measure color in addition to brightness." A rumor from Mac Otakarasuggests the iPhone 7 will include two new sensors on the front of the device, which could potentially be related to True Tone display capabilities.

EMI SHIELDING AND CHIP PACKAGING

Apple is planning to implement improved electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding techniques in the iPhone 7, with the goal of individually shielding most of the major chips in the device. EMI shields are used in iPhones and all other electronic devices to prevent wireless interference between different products.
Improved EMI shielding will perhaps allow Apple to place the various chips in the iPhone 7 closer together, allowing it to shrink down the device or leave room for new components or a larger battery.
Apple is said to be planning to use a new fan-out packaging technology for the antenna switching module and radio frequency chip in the iPhone 7, which is a feature that allows the iPhone to switch between LTE and other antennas like GSM and CDMA. Fan-out packaging technology allows for a greater number of I/O terminals while cutting down on chip size.
Using this packaging method, along with single-chip EMI shields, Apple will be able to fit more components into a single package while minimizing signal loss and also cutting down on the potential for interference in wireless communication.

Release Date

Apple typically introduces its new flagship iPhones in the fall during the month of September, and it's likely the company will continue to use the same release pattern for the iPhone 7. We expect to see the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus debut in the fall of 2016.
Apple plans to rely on multiple manufacturing partners to assemble the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, including Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron, so it's able to meet demand for the device. Foxconn and Pegatron will assemble the 4.7-inch model, while Foxconn and Wistron will assemble the 5.5-inch model.
Foxconn and Pegatron have already begun hiring new employees to prepare for the launch of the iPhone 7. Hiring is said to have started early because of a "more complex" build, possibly due to the dual cameras rumored for the larger-screened device.

Beyond the iPhone 7

The iPhone 7 hasn't launched yet, but we're already hearing rumors about iPhones that will be released in 2017 and beyond. Apple is said to be working on flexible OLED displays for future versions of the iPhone, ata secret lab it's opened in Taiwan. Apple is also developing more advanced versions of liquid crystal displays, working on a technology called Micro-LED.
Starting in late 2015, Apple began pursuing OLED partnerships with LG Display and Samsung. Apple ultimately inked a deal with Samsung in April of 2016 that will see Samsung providing 5.5-inch OLED display panels to Apple for future iPhones.
Rumors also suggest Apple may also be planning to invest in AMOLED supplier AU Optronics as a source of displays for future iPhones, indicating Apple is pursuing multiple options for next-generation display technology.
Both OLED and Micro-LED technologies eliminate the need for the backlighting that's used in traditional LCDs, which would potentially allow Apple to cut down on the size of its iOS devices. Micro-LED suffers from low yields and OLED has a shorter life span, so they are both technologies that are not quite ready for near-future iPhone upgrades.
Rumors originally said Apple would introduce OLED displays in 2018, but its plans may have been pushed up. Apple may now be aiming to introduce the first OLED displays in iPhones at the end of 2017 instead of 2018.
Rumors suggest a 2017 or 2018 iPhone could include a 5.8-inch OLED display. One display expert speculates that one option for this screen size could be an iPhone with a wraparound screen.
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When applied to the height of an existing 5.5-inch iPhone, a 5.8-inch display like the one Apple is rumored to be working on would leave an extra 7.25mm of display on each side that could be used to wrap around the edges of the device. This would extend the display across the front and sides of the iPhone, perhaps enabling side-based gestures and buttons. We don't know what shape an iPhone with side bars could take, but the rumored 5.8-inch size of the display is about right to add side panels to current-generation iPhones.
The 2017 OLED display rumors and the 5.8-inch screen have been seconded by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who often has reliable information on Apple's plans. According to Kuo, the 2017 iPhone will introduce a 5.8-inch curved glass AMOLED display paired with a curved glass casing.
Apple is said to be planning to move away from an all-aluminum body, readopting the glass-backed design used in the iPhone 4 and the 4s and taking it "to the next level." A return to a glass body will allow Apple to differentiate itself from competitors who have largely switched over to aluminum. Kuo does not believe this will heavily impact weight and durability, with weight additions mitigated through the adoption of a slimmer OLED display. Wireless charging and biometric recognitions (facial or iris) are also features Kuo is predicting for the 2017 iPhone.
Apple blogger John Gruber says he's heard "scuttlebutt" suggesting the 2017 iPhone will feature an all new form factor with an edge-to-edge display that includes an embedded Touch ID sensor, doing away with the Home button, and an embedded front-facing camera that's invisible to the eye. The display will reportedly reach from the top of the iPhone to the bottom of the iPhone, but it's not clear if Apple will shrink the iPhone down to the size of the display or expand the size of the display to match the existing iPhone sizes.
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Edge-to-edge iPhone concept image via ConceptsiPhone
Apple has been working on developing touch and display driver integration (TTDI) chips since 2015, which would allow the company to introduce an iPhone without a home button, instead integrating Touch ID fingerprint recognition into the display of the device.
Based on some of the significant changes that are rumored to be coming in 2017, Barclays analyst Mark Moskowitz believes Apple will skip its traditional "S" upgrade cycle in 2017, jumping straight to the iPhone 8 instead of the iPhone 7s. Moskowitz also predicts the iPhone will include an OLED display, completely altered form factor, and no home button.
This is in line with rumors pointing towards significant changes in the 2017 iPhone and modest changes in the iPhone 7, plus it is a possibility as 2017 will mark the 10th anniversary of the iPhone.
Samsung is rumored to be planning to start supplying Apple with NAND flash memory starting in 2017, suggesting it could be ready in time for the 2017 iPhone.
TSMC is completing designs for the 10-nanometer A11 chip that is destined for the 2017 iPhone. TSMC is expected to deliver the first 10-nanometer A11 chip samples to Apple in the first quarter of 2017.
Apple is also rumored to be working on long-range wireless charging technology that could be implemented in phones as soon as 2017. Long-range wireless charging is superior to many existing wireless charging methods because it does not require devices to be as close to a charging source or mat.
There are some obstacles to overcome before such technology can be implemented, such as the loss of power transfer efficiency that occurs when the distance between the transmitter and the receiver is increased. This causes batteries further away from a charging source to charge more slowly.