Apple launched the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in September last year. Both devices are selling like hot cakes all over the world. But enthusiasts are already looking forward to Apple’s next big smartphone. After the iPhone 6, the U.S. tech giant is likely to launch iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. But the S variants have traditionally been small upgrades rather than major overhauls.
Apple is planning to halve its smartphone upgrade cycle. That means the iPhone 6S could be launched alongside Apple Watch in the first half of 2015. And the iPhone 7 could arrive sometime in September or October. Amid growing expectations for the iPhone 7, let’s take a look at what we can expect to see in Apple’s next beast.
1- Wireless charging
Apple already owns patents for wireless charging technology, but it is yet to be introduced in the iPhones. An iPhone 7 with wireless charging would be great, especially when the same charger works for the forthcoming Apple Watch.
2- Built-in IR
Samsung’s flagship Galaxy series smartphones come with built-in infrared technology that turns the device into a universal remote. Maybe, Apple too will incorporate IR into iOS devices when it launches the Apple TV.
3- Waterproofing
A lot of people accidentally drop their iPhones int toilet (or other water bodies). The phones get damaged. Flagship smartphones from both Sony and Samsung are water-resistant. The Galaxy S5 can withstand up to 30 minutes in one meter deep water. Adding the waterproof technology to the iPhone 7 should not be a big challenge for Apple as the iPhones have no removable back panel.
4- No 16GB version
Apple strategically ditched the 32GB version with iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to drive sales of 64GB and 128GB models, which have a relatively higher profit margin. 16GB is too little for most users. That’s why the iOS 8 adoption was stalled as the operating system required 5.7GB of free space.
5- More RAM
A new report from Taiwanese website TechNews suggests that the next iPhone will have 2GB LPDD4 RAM. Notably, the LPDD4 has two times as much bandwidth as the LPDDR3. That means, with 2GB LPDDR4 RAM, the next iPhone will be four times faster than its predecessor, which features 1GB LPDDR3 RAM.
6- iPhone 7 with shatterproof sapphire display
Apple was expected to introduce scratch-proof sapphire display with the iPhone 6, but its partner GT Advanced Technologies failed to produce enough high-quality sapphire. Foxconn, Apple’s biggest supplier, is reportedly building a $2.6 billion sapphire manufacturing plant in Taiwan exclusively for Apple.
7- Better battery life
Of course, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus offer pretty good battery life, and there are some cases that can charge your iPhone on the go. The iPhone 6 Plus packs more battery than its smaller sibling because it has more room. More RAM, higher pixel densities in the iPhone 7 could negatively affect its battery life. So, the company needs to pack it with an astonishing battery life.
