In the past few weeks, there have been contradictory reports with some suggesting the iPhone 7 will have a second speaker while others claiming that there would be no such thing as a second speaker. The second speaker was expected to replace the 3.5mm headphone jack. Now a new report from a reliable French publication claims that there will be as many as four different speakers in the iPhone 7!
Prototype iPhone 7 case leaked
Steven Hemmerstoffer of NoWhereElse.fr has obtained several images of a prototype rear case for the next-gen iPhone. The images were taken from a promotional video made by an Italian smartphone accessories maker that had received a prototype iPhone 7 case ahead of the phone’s September launch. The leaked photos show two speaker grilles cut into the top and another two on the bottom of the case.
It is unclear what the benefits of four speakers on such a small device would be. It’s worth noting that both models of the iPad Pro come with four speakers for better sound quality. Besides four speakers, the images show a new layout for the rear camera and flash. The camera is housed on the top-right of the phone. However, the flash and mic are right below the camera rather than on the side.
iPhone 7 to have a ‘more complex design’
The camera hole appears larger than it is on the iPhone 6S. The leaked cases contradict previous leaks that suggested that the iPhone 7 will have a similar design to the iPhone 6S, except for the removal of the headphone jack and rear antenna bands. There are also rumors that the next-gen iPhone will be dustproof and waterproof for the first time.
The leaked case is intended for the 4.7-inch model. The bigger 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus is said to feature a dual-camera setup. Apple partners Foxconn and Pegatron have already started mass hiring in China ahead of the iPhone 7 production. At least one model of the next-gen iPhone will have a “more complex design” requiring manufacturers to spend more time on training employees.
