It doesn't seem five minutes since Apple launched the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, but the rumour mill is already in full session for what Apple's going to announce next. It could be the iPhone 7, but it could also be the iPhone 6S. Whatever Apple end up calling it, we've collected all the latest details about the iPhone 6's successor to give a better idea about what to expect next autumn.
RELEASE DATE
Apple has traditionally launched its new iPhones in September, so we can expect the iPhone 7 to be released in a similar time window. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were revealed on 9 September 2014 and launched on 19 September, and the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C were unveiled on 10 September 2013 and the iPhone 5 was unveiled on 12 September, so it's probably safe to assume that the iPhone 7 will be announced in mid-September as well.
However, it's currently being widely speculated that Apple will start releasing iPhones twice a year to help it keep up with the competition from flagship Android phones. This could mean we'll see both the iPhone 6S and the iPhone 7 next year as Apple launches one in spring and then the other in autumn. It's unlikely we'll know anything for sure, though, until Apple decides to announce it itself, so watch this space for the time being.
SAPPHIRE GLASS
We were expecting the iPhone 6 to have a sapphire glass screen, but Apple surprised everyone by choosing ion-strengthened glass, which is cheaper and easier to manufacture. However, it's possible we may yet see a sapphire glass iPhone, as Focus Taiwan has reported that manufacturer Foxconn is rapidly building a new display factory purely for handling Apple's iPhone orders. The company has apparently signed a deal with the Zhengzhou city government in Henan Province, China, to develop a 133-hectare factory right next to an existing iPhone 6 factory. The report also suggests the factory will be producing sapphire glass displays.
Last year, there were several high-profile leaks showing what an iPhone with a sapphire glass display would be able to resist, with front panels sourced directly from the factory and filmed being scratched by keys and knives to no effect whatsoever.
However, we're suspicious of any claims suggesting that Apple will be switching to sapphire soon, as Corning, the makers of Gorilla Glass, has produced smartphone display panels for almost every iPhone to date. The company also recently revealed the fourth iteration of its Gorilla Glass technology, which is better able to withstand accidental drops (one of the major causes of shattered or broken smartphone screens) and would seem ideally placed to appear in the next iPhone.
SCREEN SIZE
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were a rapid departure from previous iPhones thanks to their larger 4.7in and 5.5in screen sizes, but is there still room for another potential 4in iPhone? MacWorld is currently predicting that Apple will release iPhones with three different screen sizes next year, updating the iPhone 5S with a 4in screen, a 4.7in successor to the iPhone 6, and a new 5.5in phablet to replace the iPhone 6 Plus. Whether this means we'll get a 4in iPhone 6C, a 4.7in iPhone 6S and a 5.5in iPhone 7 is anyone's guess, but we'll bring you all the latest information as it's confirmed.
TWO-LENS CAMERA
Another rumour doing the rounds is that the iPhone 7 will have a pair of upgraded rear camera sensors to give the biggest jump in picture quality ever seen on a smartphone. Daring Fireball's John Gruber said on his The Talk Show podcast that "a birdie of a birdie" told him that Apple is working on a two-lens camera system for future iPhones.
Although he didn't mention any specific technical details, he did postulate that the upgrade would mean a massive leap forward in terms of image quality, bringing the smartphone on par with some digital SLR cameras. Apple certainly wouldn't be the first company to use twin camera sensors, although the Duo Camera found in the HTC One (M8) was used to measure depth information and create depth of field effects rather than boost image quality.
It has been suggested Apple's approach may mirror that of small tech startup Corephotonics, which uses a dual-lens camera system with two different focal lengths. One sensor is used for wide angle images and the other is used for close-up and macro shooting. The two focal lengths would negate the degrading effects of digital zoom, and could still be used for 3D spacial measurements because the lens offset is a known entity. Apple holds a range of camera-related patents, including post-capture refocusing, interchangeable lens modules and external lens attachments; the dual-lens system could be an evolution of one of these.
We're highly sceptical of any rumours this early into a product's lifecycle - especially when there's a questionable source and no accompanying photos. However, Apple's development and manufacturing process has get progressively leakier with each subsequent release, so it's possible, however unlikely, that there could be a grain of truth to the rumour.