The Cupertino-based tech giant has started sending out press invites for a product launch event scheduled for September 7, where the iPhone 7 (and maybe a new Apple Watch ) will be officially unveiled.
NEW DELHI: It's coming, finally. After months of speculations, leaks and rumours, the launch date for Apple's newest iPhone has been finally announced. The Cupertino-based tech giant has started sending out press invites for a product launch event scheduled for September 7, where the iPhone 7 (and maybe a new Apple Watch ) will be officially unveiled.
The invite features a bokeh-like rendering of the Apple logo against a black background and reads, "See you on the 7th. Please join us for an invitation-only event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco on Wednesday, September 7, at 10:00 a.m." As is clear by the invite's text, the event will be held at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, which seems to have become Apple's favourite venue for all its big product launches. The venue, with a seating capacity of about 7,000 people, is also where the company held its World Wide Developers Conference of this year. It was during this event that Apple announced new versions of its operating systems, including iOS 10, macOS Sierra and watchOS 2.
A recently surfaced online report suggested that Apple plans to forego the 3.5mm audio jack and replace it with the lightning connector for audio output, for the upcoming iPhone 7. The move is likely aimed at making future iPhones even slimmer.
6 Things To Expect From iPhone 7
Over the past few months we have seen a slew of leaks, which indicate that the iPhone 7 will not be a bold re-imagination of what is considered to be the most coveted and followed gadget on the face of this planet. So, let's take a look at what all we know about the device.
Big camera update: The thing that most people should look out for is that the iPhone 7 could come with a killer camera. There are two variants that have been leaked; one is the standard 4.7-inch model, and there's also the larger 5.5-inch 'Plus' model. This year, there could be a big difference between the two. The smaller one is said to get a single camera on the back, but that too as per a 9to5Mac report could be big update over the current iPhone 6s camera as it has a 25 per cent larger iris. This indicates a larger lens, and perhaps a wider one which will most definitely enable brighter and nicer photographs even if Apple decides to reuse the same 12-megapixel sensor. The iPhone 7 Plus, could be bolder. Leaked images have showed that it will have a dual-lens system in the back. This means that the iPhone camera could have some interesting depth of field capabilities and also could have some zooming capabilities, which are sure to come in handy. Apple in the past has acquired a company called LinX, which has demonstrated a capability showcasing sharper zoomed photos.
Mild processor update but no big deal: The A10 processor which will be at the heart of the iPhone 7 experience is said not to be wildly faster than the current A9 processor found in the iPhone 6s. Instead, this processor could perhaps just have a minute improvement over the A9X processor which is at the heart of the iPad Pro. Multiple leaked benchmarks have indicated this, but more than that it could also be a pivotal element in ensuring better image quality from the cameras as Apple's ISP works in tandem with the software to produce class leading image quality.
Similar design to iPhone 6S: The biggest disappointment that one expects from the iPhone 7 is that it will not usher in a bold new redesign of the iPhone. Traditionally, whenever, Apple has launched a new numbered variant, there has been a new redesign. Going by the leaks, Apple could be sticking to a design that's similar to the current iPhone 6s with rounded corners. However, Apple could fine-tune the highly criticised antenna lines. Leaked images have showcased that the antenna lines are now only on the side seam of the phone than on the back.
No 3.5mm headphone jack: For months, rumours have circulated the Internet that claim that the iPhone 7 will dump the 3.5mm audio jack. The leaked images seemingly confirm this, but we will believe this till the real thing arrives. However, chances are there is a high possibility of this happening as manufactures have been making headphones based on the lightning connector for a couple of years. In fact, this year at CES many accessory makers unveiled such solutions in anticipation of Apple making the drastic change. Apple is likely to offer compatible EarPods and also an adaptor for using traditional earphones with the 3.5mm jack. One should expect superior or similar sound quality as Apple could leverage a dedicated DAC for the EarPod which is finely tuned for the phone.
New colours and a force touch home button: Apart from the traditional space grey, silver, gold and rose gold colours, Apple is expected to add two new colours in the mix. A space black and a deep blue. More than this, Apple could replace the home-button with a pressure sensitive force touch solution. This would not only facilitate a cleaner looking design but a more reliable button as in the past, iPhones have had the tendency to have faulty home-buttons. Apple has already outlined how iOS 10 is going to leverage 3D Touch in a bolder way, so perhaps the force touch home-button could be used in radical ways.
Water resistance, OLED screen and bigger battery: The iPhone 7 is likely to be the first iPhone which has water resistance. This is much loved feature that users of Android phones like the Galaxy S7 have enjoyed for sometime. It was only a matter of time Apple added this in the iPhone. Multiple reports have suggested this will be the case. More than this, the iPhone 7 could use a OLED screen which would also be a first for the iPhone. Lastly, the iPhone 7 is also expected to get a larger 1,960mAh battery which should improve the battery situation on the whole.