Apple Watch has hit the stores. Though its roll out has been a low-key affair, it packs some impressive features that could make way into the upcoming iPhone 7. While the Cupertino company has revealed nothing about its future device, there have been plenty of rumors and inside reports. Earlier this month, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple will introduce an iPhone 7 this year instead of the much-rumored iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.
iPhone 7 to borrow Force Touch from Apple Watch
The reason? Kuo says the iPhone 7 will borrow a major feature from Apple Watch: Force Touch technology. It can differentiate between a gentle tap and a hard press, allowing users to interact with the interface in a variety of new ways. The iPhone maker recently carried over the Force Touch feature to its newest USB-C MacBooks. Force Touch is too big a feature for a minor upgrade like an iPhone 6S, says Kuo.
Force Touch could make texting easier, and even photo editing may get a boost. One feature that Apple is unlikely to carry over from Apple Watch to the iPhone 7 is the digital crown. However, a new iPhone 7 concept by Behance shows a digital crown just above the on/off button. It incorporates TouchID sensor and Home Button functionality.
iPhone 7 to get Apple Watch’s Series 7000 aluminum
There have also been rumors that the iPhone 7 body will be built using the same Series 7000 aluminum alloy used in Apple Watch Sport. It is an extremely durable metal that would help Apple avoid the bendgate-like embarrassment. Series 7000 aluminum is 60% stronger than the material used in the iPhone 6, but weighs only a third as much as stainless steel.
Among other things, the iPhone 7 is expected to feature a Samsung-made 14nm 64-bit A9 processor, M9 co-processor and iOS 9 software. Earlier this month, Apple was granted a new patent for voice unlocking of a handheld device. It fueled speculations that the new iPhone may come with voice unlocking feature. It would allow users to bypass the slide-to-unlock, TouchID, and unlock the device quickly and more conveniently.
