iPhone 7 Plus: what we want to see

Update: The possible design of the iPhone 7 Plus has been shown off in detail in a pair of diagrams and even a video, suggesting we may well see both a Smart Connector and a dual-lens camera.

Surprisingly there's even some evidence of a bezel-less design, though we're very skeptical about seeing that. It's also thought the handset could be more complex than any previous iPhone, suggesting big changes on the inside.

Original article follows below...

The iPhone 7 is one of the most eagerly awaited phones of the year, but alongside it Apple is sure to launch an iPhone 7 Plus or iPhone 7 Pro as it might be called.

The screen will be bigger than on the normal iPhone, that much is certain, but a number of other things could be different too, including the camera and the presence (or lack) of a 3.5mm headphone jack and a Smart Connector.

And even the things that are the same on both handsets are cause for excitement, as with talk of plenty of power and a new design the iPhone 7 range could be a big upgrade on theiPhone 6S/iPhone 6S Plus.

So far nothing is certain, but there are a huge number of rumors floating around and we've collected them all below, so you can get the clearest possible idea of what to expect from the iPhone 7 Plus.

If that wasn't enough we've also thought up a list of the things we want to see changed and added for this year's model, to make it the best it can possibly be.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? Apple's next phablet
• When is it out? Probably September 2016
• What will it cost? A lot

iPhone 7 Plus release date

The iPhone 7 Plus / iPhone 7 Pro is likely to launch in September 2016, given that Apple has launched its last few flagships during that month.

It's possible that the company could change its schedule, especially as an AppleInsider source, deemed 'reliable', claims the company hopes to launch the iPhone 7 earlier in the year. But we're skeptical of that as there's been no other hint of an earlier launch, so for now we'd say September.

iPhone 7 Plus news and rumors

So far most of the design rumors refer to the iPhone 7 rather than the iPhone 7 Plus, but aside from differing dimensions the two phones are likely to look very similar. That means you can expect a slim design, possibly so thin that the headphone port will be removed, though with any luck Apple won't go that far.

The iPhone 7 Plus could also have a bezel-less screen and water and dust resistance, along with an end to antenna bands.

Though the clearest look we've had at it comes from a leaked diagram shared by MyDrivers, which shows a phone that's got identical dimensions to the iPhone 6S Plus, as well as a similar shape.

It differs in some key areas though. For one thing it's got a dual-lens camera, which we've heard of before, with talk of two versions of the 7 Plus launching, one with a dual-lens snapper and the other with just a single lens one. We doubt Apple would muddy the waters with two versions of its phablet, but a dual-lens could mean a big camera upgrade.

The diagram also shows a Smart Connector, much like what's found on the iPad Pro andiPad Pro 9.7. This would open up the door to first and third-party accessories and other potential methods of data transfer. Though not all sources agree on whether we'll see that and we doubt Apple would stick one on a phone.

Most unusual though is the lack of bezel around the screen. It's rumored that Apple is working on an edge-to-edge display, potentially with the fingerprint scanner and front-facing camera built in, but we're not expecting to see that in the iPhone 7 Plus, so this is likely a mistake and calls the whole diagram into question.

However another blueprint has also emerged and this looks similar, but with the bezel intact.

The most convincing proof of the iPhone 7 Plus' much-debated design may have materialized by way of some high-quality renders nabbed by Stuff.tv. In the video, which travels around the supposed build of Apple's upcoming, grande-sized iPhone 7 Plus, there are some telling clues about what we might see come September when the phone is slated to be announced.

First off, it lacks a headphone jack. This could either confirm your hopes or your nightmares that Apple might actually juke the 3.5mm standard in favor of its own Lightning port. But, as this is an unofficial render, you can keep relaxing until September when we find out for sure.

Next up, there's a slight camera bump near the top of the device where there's rumored to be a dual-camera setup. Nothing new here. We see also get another look at the rumored Smart Connector.

The screen will likely stay at 5.5 inches but could get a resolution boost, since the iPhone 6S Plus is trailing Android rivals in that area.

Whatever happens, the iPhone 7 Plus could be a big change on the inside from its predecessor, even if it's similar on the outside, as according to CNBC, the Economic Daily News has reported that it (along with the standard iPhone 7) will be "more complex" to build than previous models.

That complexity might come in part from the battery, which could grow even if the phone shrinks thanks to Fan-Out technology and there's likely to be a whole lot of power under the hood, with talk of a hexa-core A10 processor, likely coupled with 2GB of RAM and iOS 10.

The iPhone 7 Plus / iPhone 7 Pro may also sport a pressure-sensitive home button, building on the 3D Touch technology that's already found in the screen.

1. A sleek design

A certain amount of size and heft is inevitable with a phablet, but the iPhone 6S Plus felt a little larger and heavier than was strictly necessary, thanks in large part to the big bezels above and below the screen.

This made it awkward to use with one hand, even compared to other 5.5-inch phones, so we'd like to see a more compact design for the iPhone 7 Plus.

Having said that it really doesn't need to get much thinner - it's more the length and width that we're worried about, so hopefully rumors of a super slim design don't pan out, especially if it comes at the expense of battery life or a 3.5mm headphone port.

2. A tempting price tag

With a starting price of US$749 (£619, AU$1,129) the iPhone 6S Plus is just about the most expensive mainstream phone on the planet, especially when you consider that for that money you get just 16GB of built in storage.

We're not asking for the iPhone 7 Plus / iPhone 7 Pro to be cheap, given the size and likely specs that's never going to happen, but if Apple could trim the price down a bit it would become far more desirable.

3. Beefy battery life

Battery life tends to be one of the weaker elements of Apple's phones and most other handsets for that matter too.

Partially it's because battery tech just can't keep up with the pace of other advancements, but it's also partly because companies often sacrifice battery life for smaller, slimmer handsets.

Apple's been guilty of that in the past and it's rumored that the same thing might happen again this year, but we really hope it doesn't. The iPhone 7 Plus doesn't need to be any thinner than the iPhone 6S Plus and we'd even take a thicker phone if it meant a bigger battery.

4. Better 3D Touch

3D Touch was one of the big new features of the iPhone 6S, but it's yet to really hit its stride. It's easy to forget it's there and even when you remember it exists it doesn't often add much to the experience.

But it's got potential, a whole lot of it and we'd like to see it expanded and improved for the iPhone 7 Plus.

An obvious starting point would be allowing you to scroll through screens that you 'peek' into, rather than the static previews that you're given currently, but we're sure Apple can take it even further than that. We want to see 3D Touch become a genuinely useful addition, the sort of thing that one day we'll wonder how we ever did without.

5. A whole new look

The iPhone 6S Plus is a good looking phone for the most part, but with a design that's much the same as the iPhone 6 Plus it's time Apple changed it up for the iPhone 7 Plus.

At the very least we want to see the company fix the obvious problems with the current design- removing the antenna bands and reducing the camera bump, both of which have already been rumored.

But hopefully it will do more than just refine and actually give the iPhone 7 Plus a completely different look, one which will turn heads like the iPhone 6 Plus did when that was first launched.

6. A stunning screen

The iPhone 6S Plus has a 5.5-inch 1080 x 1920 screen and while it's clear and vibrant it's not the sharpest of screens, coming in at 401 pixels per inch, when the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge (which also has a 5.5-inch display) is 534ppi.

Text and images are still fairly crisp, but it falls short of feeling like a true flagship in this area and placed side by side with a sharper QHD display the difference is noticeable.

Resolution is only one part of what makes or breaks a screen and Apple does a great job of most of the other parts, so hopefully with the iPhone 7 Plus it will bring the sharpness up in line with rivals too.

7. Camera innovations

Cameras are the current smartphone battlefield, with every manufacturer seemingly competing to be the best, or pack in new and interesting features that can't be found anywhere else.

That's led to some incredible camera phones, the iPhone 6S Plus among them, but competition from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S7 isn't letting up, so Apple needs to keep on pushing what's possible from a smartphone camera if it's going to stay near the top of the heap.

This is one thing that we're not too worried about though, as Apple is already rumored to be working on a new camera for the iPhone 7 Plus, possibly a dual-lens one.

8. Stereo sound

The iPhone 6S Plus just has a single speaker and while it's respectably loud two speakers - or even four like on the iPad Pro - are better than one, especially when that lone speaker is so easy to accidentally cover with a stray hand.

If Apple could make them front-facing too then all the better, though we don't want that to come at the expense of the phone's design.

9. An end to 16GB models

We've been saying this for years now, but Apple really needs to stop selling 16GB devices. Given the premium price and the fact that storage is never expandable on iPhones it's just not an acceptable amount, particularly with many iOS games now stretching to multiple gigabytes.

The minimum storage level we want to see on the iPhone 7 Plus is 32GB, as that's enough to not feel immediately restrictive.

10. Waterproofing

A growing number of phones are following Sony's lead and becoming waterproof, or at least water resistant, and we'd like to be able to count the iPhone 7 Plus among them.

We can count the number of times we've drowned a phone on zero hands, but it's about reassurance as much as anything. You probably won't spill that pint of beer on your handset, but you're likely to feel a lot happier about having them next to each other if your phone's waterproof.

A waterproof iPhone may be in our near future though, as some sources reckon Apple is making the iPhone 7 more resilient to the elements.

Exclusive: Apple iPhone 7 renders appear

We received exclusive Apple iPhone 7 renders from a reputable source in the case-making business. The renders you see below are based on actual 3D technical drawings of the upcoming iPhone 7. However, colors and materials are not official but made up.



Since the renders are based on technical drawings of the device, the buttons, camera placement and all functional elements are in their correct locations. The color scheme and actual materials might differ slightly, but knowing Apple's style these are also likely correct.


Apple iPhone 7 renders

Interestingly, Apple has decided to alter the cutouts for the antennas on the back. As far as the camera on the back, it's going to have a bump.

It also seems that the iPhone 7 is going to rock two grilles at the bottom. The iPhone 5s used to have those and one was simply used for the mic, but Apple dropped them for the iPhone 6 and 6s. Bringing them back might signal stereo speakers, or at least we can hope. The 3.5mm jack is missing, though.

We're eagerly awaiting to see if the iPhone 7 Plus is going to really pack a dual-camera setup, as rumored earlier. The Apple iPhone 7 could be waterproof and it might sport a touch home button, but we don't have a way of confirming this just yet.

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are due to be outed at Apple's annual event in the Fall.

iPhone 7 release date, news and rumors

Update: Blueprint sketches and unofficial renders might be all that we currently have to go on for hints as to what the iPhone 7 could look like. But Stuff.tv has gathered some iPhone 7 Plus intel that could offer big hints as to what to expect in the larger variant and new reports suggest a lot will be changing internally.

Just as some of the rumors speculate, the renders of the iPhone 7 Plus appears to lack a headphone jack. While we won't know for sure if Apple has officially dropped 3.5mm jack support, the latest evidence doesn't look good for those of us who are unwilling to ditch the standard.

Next up, the iPhone 7 Plus render features a Smart Connector port, much like what's found on the iPad Pro and iPad Pro 9.7. While the latest bit of potential iPhone 7 info lacks the Smart Connector, it's tough to say at this point this proprietary port will show up on the smaller device or not.

Original article follows below...

Looking for the iPhone SE? Then you'll want our everything you need to know article.

With the iPhone 6S, Apple delivered its best handset yet, but aside from sporting some fancy new 3D Touch technology, it was also very similar to the iPhone 6.

That was to be expected - after all, Apple typically only overhauls its handsets once every two years, but that overhaul is due with the iPhone 7, so we're expecting and hoping for big changes: think a whole new design, piles of power and a bunch of new features.

The leaks, rumors and reports are already ramping up, although the iPhone 7 probably won't arrive until late 2016. We've collected all the latest from around the web and beyond for you below, to give you the clearest picture possible of what you can expect from the new iPhone

iPhone 7 release date

If we were betting people, we'd say the iPhone 7 will probably arrive in September 2016. Apple tends to stick to a schedule, and the last few iPhones have all been launched in the month of September.

But according to a 'reliable source' Apple might actually bring it to market earlier. Sadly, how much earlier is unclear, but it will take a while to even finish development and manufacture of the phone, so we wouldn't expect to see it before the summer. September is still the best bet for now.
iPhone 7 design

Hottest leaks:
A super slim build
Water resistance
No more antenna lines

The iPhone 6S looked a lot like the iPhone 6, but it's likely to be all-change with the iPhone 7. Exactly what form that change will take remains to be seen, but there are some rumors.



For one thing, it could be even slimmer than the 7.1mm-thick iPhone 6S; Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities reckons it'll be dropping to between 6mm and 6.5mm thick. That sounds unnecessarily slim to us, especially as it could cause the battery life to take a hit, but theSamsung 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, while 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 also suggests there will also be a pair of special Apple earbuds included in the iPhone 7 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.



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.

That's always an issue with waterproof phones such as the Sony Xperia Z line, so the fact Apple's main supplier is looking to stop the problem may be a big hint at what the iPhone 7 will do.

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 bumpwhich has been present since the iPhone 6/6Plus - 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 the 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 still be the shape of things to come.



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.
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 sceptical 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, asthere's also talk that it could switch from an LCD display to an OLED one, much 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 unearthedshowing 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 likely a way off yet, but many of its main rivals have already launched. The biggest ones are the Samsung Galaxy S7 and 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.

The HTC 10 looks to be 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.


There's also the 4-inch iPhone SE which has arrived with a palm friendly 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.

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. Optical image stabilization perhaps?

A shot of the rear of the iPhone 7 from Nowhereelse.fr suggests the camera lens will be bigger. It doesn't seem to be a dual-camera lens, but it looks much larger so may mean some big improvements on the camera tech.

As for the iPhone 7 Plus, trusted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo at KGI Securities in South Koreabelieves the larger phone may go for a dual-camera set up. It would allow for optical zoom and give a wider field of view in shots - but it's not exactly certain why this feature would only be on the phablet version of the iPhone 7.

The analyst hasn't also said he believed there may be two versions of the iPhone 7 Plus, one without this camera set up and another with it, which he dubbed the iPhone 7 Pro. He's walked back that speculation, saying that there will be just one iPhone 7 Plus, and it'll feature that dual lens setup. It sounds like the camera specs unearthed in a recent Apple patent.

The benefit to the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 without the 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 reducing the handset's 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

The iPhone 7 could be in for a huge performance boost, with whispers on Weibo that the phone will pack a hexa-core A10 chip, up from just a dual-core processor in the iPhone 6S. We're sceptical that Apple would go for that much of a jump, but it's an exciting thought.

We're not likely to see any more RAM in the iPhone 7, as Apple only just pushed the iPhone 6S up to 2GB, so it will likely stick with that for a while yet. However, the iPhone 7 Plus may upgrade to 3GB of RAM to account for its dual camera image processing.

3GB of RAM is big jump in a short amount of time for the new 5.5-inch iPhone 7. The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus just got 2GB of RAM seven months ago, and the 1GB of RAM had been three generations strong in iPhone 6, iPhone 5S and iPhone 5.

As for the OS, we'd expect to see the iPhone 7 land with iOS 10, since we're up to iOS 9 on the iPhone 6S. That's likely to include improvements to Siri, an Apple Music redesign and astandalone HomeKit app, among other changes.
iPhone 7 other features



Hottest leaks:
A pressure-sensitive home button
Wireless charging
A smaller headphone jack

While the iPhone 7 is largely expected 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 see 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 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

There aren't any price rumors yet, but in all likelihood the iPhone 7 will cost roughly what the iPhone 6S currently retails for. That would make it $649/£539/AU$1,079 upwards.

Though if Apple finally ditches the 16GB model the starting price might be even higher.


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.

iPhone 7 UK release date, specs & new features rumours: iPhone 7 to get 12Mp six-element lens camera

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are here, but watchers are looking ahead to the next new iPhone, the iPhone 7, set to arrive in a matter of weeks. Here we reveal the iPhone 7 UK release date and specs rumours. When is the iPhone 7 coming out?

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus arrived in September, but now that we're well into 2015 it's no surprise that chatter about what's next for Apple's smartphone is getting louder and clearer. Here's everything we know about the iPhone 7 release date, specs, new features and design rumours and bring you the latest iPhone 7 speculation to help you stay up-to-date with the latest iPhone 7 news, rumours and leaks. When is the iPhone 7 coming out? Updated 17/8/15 with new reports regarding the implimentation of Force Touch technology, as well as a video comparing an iPhone 6 shell with a next-generation iPhone 7 shell.

iPhone 7 rumours: Isn't it going to be the iPhone 6S?

Some of you might be thinking, isn't it going to be called the iPhone 6S next? After all, Apple has released an iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S and now iPhone 6 (alongside the iPhone 6 Plus). So if history repeats itself, it's likely that the next iPhone will be called the iPhone 6S rather than the iPhone 7. See also: iPhone 5S vs iPhone 6 comparison

However, Apple has surprised us somewhat over the past two years, releasing an iPhone 5C alongside the iPhone 5S in 2013, and an iPhone 6 Plus alongside the iPhone 6 in 2014. We're wondering whether Apple might soon decide to ditch the numbers completely and stick with iPhone, iPhone Plus and iPhone C, perhaps. Or, simply ditch the 'S' models and launch an iPhone 7.

In fact, reports that emerged in mid April suggest that the next iPhone is going to be so significantly different to and better than the iPhone 6 that Apple has decided the iPhone 6S name doesn't fit, and instead will launch an iPhone 7 this autumn.

No one knows for sure yet though, so you'll see both terms used within this article, although primarily iPhone 7 to keep things simple.

iPhone 7 release date rumours: When is the new iPhone 7 coming out?

Looking back over the recent history of Apple's iPhone launches, it's likely that the iPhone 7 will be unveiled at a special event in September 2015. It will be a little while until invites are sent out, though.

Our current prediction is 8 September. Why? Well, it's a complete guess, but it's an informed one. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were unveiled on 9 September, iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S were unveiled on 10 September, and iPhone 5 was on 12 September. Apple goes for Tuesday or Wednesday launches (more often Tuesdays) so Tuesday 8 September 2015 is our iPhone 7 prediction.

According to Mobile News, the new iPhone will be released on September 25. It’s claimed that the blog received an internal email from Vodafone, which outlines the prelaunch plans and includes two dates: September 18 for pre-orders and September 25 for the launch. We’re not sure of the authenticity of the email and since the rumoured launch is months away, there’s still a chance that these dates could change.

However, opposing rumours suggest that the iPhone 7 could actually arrive in August, a few weeks earlier than expected.. The Economic Daily News has cited supply-chain sources who allegedly say that the iPhone 7 is in production already, and will launch a month earlier than we first thought. We're taking this rumour with a pinch of salt for now, unless any further evidence emerges. And of course, if it does we'll update you right here.

Update 10 August: August still seems unlikely, especially withSamsung's Unpacked event(for the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+) taking place on 13 August. The latest iPhone 7 launch event will take place during the week beginning 7 September with Wednesday 9 September the 'most likely', just a day after our prediction. This comes via Buzzfeed as requires just as much of a pinch of salt as the other proposed dates.

The unveiling of iOS 9 and the launch of the developer preview on 8 June at WWDC 2015 offered some further clues to the features we can expect in the next iPhone model, which you can read about in the camera section below.

Latest iPhone 7 rumours: Apple places huge iPhone 7 order with suppliers as it prepares for launch

Apple is reportedly preparing to place its biggest order ever for the iPhone 7, with 85 to 95 million units set to be manufactured in China this summer ahead of the new smartphone's launch later this year. That's according to The Wall Street Journal.

It's believed that Apple asked suppliers to build 70 to 80 million units last year, so it looks like Apple is confident that the next iPhone will fly off the shelves too.

Latest iPhone 7 rumours: iPhone 7 leaked images emerge

On 30 June, the first purported iPhone 7 leaked photos emerged, and we expected that this would spark a string of many more in the months to come - and we were right.

The first images come from 9To5Mac, which claims to have obtained the images from a "proven source familiar with Apple's supply chain."