Recent reports from sources close to Apple suggest that there will be both an iPhone 6s this year, and an apple iPhone 7 next year. With potentially nine months separating the two releases, consumers will have a serious decision to make regarding which one of the two Apple handsets to purchase.
When will there be an iPhone 7?
So the first question is when the iPhone 7 will actually be released. Sources close to Apple have been suggesting in the last few days that this is likely to be sometime between March and June in 2016. But this could be an optimistic estimation if Apple attempts to make the iPhone 7 a revolutionary device, and it could even be that there is a full 12 months between the release of the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 7.
Another possibility is that the analyst community has got the whole issue completely wrong. It wouldn’t be the first time that this has occurred, but it is possible that the iPhone 7 will instead come in 2015, and would not be revolutionary device which has been predicted.
It is difficult to precisely assess the likelihood of this, with leaks certainly pointing towards the fact that there will be an iPhone 6s in 2015 which will be an upgraded version of the existing Phone 6. Of course, it goes without saying that at some point there will be an iPhone 7, and at this time it looks as if 2016 is a likely date for this. But it would not be at all surprising if the iPhone 7 is significantly delayed, as Apple has a reputation for ensuring that devices are completed to its utter satisfaction before they are released.
Thus, consumers interested in either of the iPhone models should bear in mind that an entire year gap between the two is not only possible, but it could be suggested that it is even likely.
How will the iPhone 7 attract consumers?
iPhone 7 has been linked with a massive portfolio of new features, some of which are entirely speculative and unlikely to see the light of day, and others which would seem to be extremely probable.
What can be said is that the iPhone 7 would need to be a very significant departure from the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6 predecessor if Apple is to justify delaying it for a significant period of time. The corporation was to some degree criticized for producing an iPhone 6 which was little more than an upgrade of the iPhone 5s, despite the implication that this iteration would be a new generation of the series.
So if Apple makes the bold move of delaying the iPhone 7 until possibly even Q4 in 2016, it will need to deliver something truly outstanding and demonstrably different from the iPhone 6s.
This could mean that some of the more outlandish ideas being linked with the smartphone may even be implemented. Ultimately, we could be looking at nearly an 18-month period until the iPhone 7 is released, and this would give Apple the opportunity to arm the iPhone 7 with certain features which look to be logistically impossible at the moment.
Possible differences between iPhone 6s and iPhone 7
This will be largely dependent upon the functionality which Apple decides to include in the iPhone 6s. For example, wireless charging will almost certainly be part of the iPhone 7, although it may be too early for this feature to figure in the iPhone 6s. But at the same time, there will be pressure for Apple to produce a smartphone with this functionality this year, as Samsung has already included wireless charging in the Galaxy S6.
Additionally, we know that, for example, Apple has already had a patent approved for a form of curved screen technology. This was strongly anticipated to appear in an iPhone series device during 2015, but Apple may now hold this back for the iPhone 7.
Another long rumored feature of the iPhone series which has yet to actually materialize is sapphire glass protection. This was expected to be a feature of the iPhone 6, but ultimately Apple seemingly decided against this. Analysts had predicted that sapphire glass would be included in the iPhone during 2015, but again Apple might delay this both to enable the iPhone 7 to be a significant departure from the earlier upgrade, and also to allow the consumer electronics giant to sort out all logistical issues.
It has also been suggested that Apple will vastly upgrade the camera included in the iPhone series in the near future. The corporation has been linked with producing both a unique periscope device for the iPhone series, as well as a dual-lens professional quality snapper. Again, it was assumed that either of these potential cameras could appear in the iPhone series this year, but Apple may instead choose to include them as part of the iPhone 7 release.
We can expect to see some new features in the iPhone 6s, but more ambitious functionality may be preserved ahead of an iPhone 7 release in 2016.
iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 – pricing
If Apple does decide to release an iPhone 6s this year, and bring out an iPhone 7 during 2016, then it seems quite probable that the iPhone 6s will experience a price freeze. Effectively, this will be a beefed up and upgraded spec version of the iPhone 6, with the next-generation iPhone really emanating when the iPhone 7 is released. Apple may be in an extremely strong position commercially, but it surely couldn’t ask for consumers to pay extra for something that is essentially an upgrade.
The iPhone 7 could be significantly more expensive than the iPhone 6S, but Apple will undoubtedly try to keep expense down to a bare minimum. We can possibly expect to see it cost $100 more on non-contract terms than the existing iPhone 6 did when it was released.
Conclusion
Apple is battling the clock anyway with only six months until the next iPhone release is due, so we can perhaps expect this to be a conservative device. Consumers wanting an iPhone that blows them away might have to wait until the release of the iPhone 7. But Apple fans should also bear in mind that the iPhone 6s will probably be a world-class handset that offers excellent value for money.
