Of the many rumors currently surrounding the future of the iPhone 7, one of the more exciting is the potential for it to be the thinnest Apple smartphone yet.
As it stands the Apple iPhone 7 is expected to launch in September. Now a new report claims that the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will be between 6 mm and 6.5 mm thick, compared to 7.1 mm for the iPhone 6s and 7.3 mm for the iPhone 6s Plus, writes James Geddes for Tech Times.
Apple to stick with two-cycle iPhone design?
The release of the Apple 3GS in June 2009 marked the first time that Apple had stuck with the same design as the previous version of its smartphone. The iPhone 3G of July 2008 was a completely different smartphone than the original iPhone.
While the original was made of aluminum, the 3GS had a plastic body in order to improve reception from the 3G and WiFi antennas. From that point onward Apple has maintained the same design of the iPhone for two cycles, with “S” models featuring internal tweaks.
Seeing as we are currently on an “s”model, iPhone fans should expect some major design changes in September with the new version. In order for the iPhone 7 to be as thin as rumored, Apple would have to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Thinner handset thanks to removal of headphone jack
This rumor has gained some serious traction, and would see users forced to use the Lightning port as an audio connector. Another possibility is that Apple would enable the use of wireless headphones.
Both possibilities have their downsides for users. The Lightning port is also used to charge the phone and transfer data, so you wouldn’t be able to use headphones at the same time as performing either of those tasks.
The idea of being forced to use wireless headphones has upset serious audiophiles who complain that the sound quality on offer is generally worse than with headphones that connect to your device physically. Even if Apple bundles a set of wireless headphones with the iPhone 7, many users will presumably want to upgrade in search of better sound quality.
This effectively forces users to invest in an expensive new accessory and brings up memories of the introduction of the Lightning port in 2012. Users were up in arms after being forced to change their accessories, but the controversy soon blew over.
iPhone 7 battery life could be improved
If the new iPhone 7 turns out to be as thin as rumored, there is a possibility that its battery life could remain mediocre. The iPhone 6s has come in for criticism after users found that it could not last a full day of heavy use.
However Apple may have come up with a solution. Another set of rumors regard the possibility that the company has found a way to include a bigger battery in the iPhone 7, despite its supposedly thinner body.
The use of “Fan-Out” packing technology could see the chipset take up less room, leaving more space for the battery.
At this stage Apple has not made any official announcement on the future of the iPhone 7. In the absence of proper information rumors have swept in to fill the gap. It is important to take these rumors with a pinch of salt, but it looks as though some exciting developments could be in the pipeline for iPhone fans.
