TECHRUMOURS: iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus/Pro

*All of these are only rumours circulating the internet. Do take it with a pinch (or even more) of salt.

LAUNCH DATE 

With the imminent arrival of the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus ( and maybe the iPhone 7 Pro) on Sept 7, we take a look at all the possible rumours that have come out on the internet. 

Source: Apple,

DESIGN

Image: BGR

If we follow the trend, this year should be the year that Apple releases their new iPhone with a new design. This time they might be going the other way as rumours appeared showing the design of the new device to be of similar dimensions and overall shape with the current ones albeit with minor changes.

The antenna band lines are now moved to the top and the bottom of the phone, no longer cutting the back.

The rear camera hump is still there but the size of the camera on the iPhone 7 will be bigger while we might see dual-camera on the iPhone 7 Plus/Pro (like the Huawei P9).

The earphone jack is said to be excluded from this year’s iPhone. Whether that is wise or not depends on you and your usage.The following article discusses on the issue (BGR).

To reduce the impact of the former move, Apple is said to be including a free 3.5mm to Lightning adapter so that you can use your existing set of earphones/headphones. 

Source: BGR

Some rumours stated that this year’s earpods would definitely be different, having a lightning head instead. Photos (and now even videos) of it are circulating the internet. 

Source: BGR

"The biggest planned change in this year's phones is the removal of the headphone plug, which will make the phone thinner and improve its water resistance," according to the report. Going forward, you'll be able to use the phone's Lightning connector to not only juice up your phone, but also plug in headphones. All in all, the next iPhone should be 1mm thinner than current models, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told the Journal.

Source: PCMag 

 

The size and the dimensions are said to be similar as the previous generation though it will be slightly thinner. 

This year is also rumoured to be the first year that Apple releases three variants of its iPhone: iPhone: iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7 Pro. Or, the iPhone 7 Plus could be launched as the iPhone 7 Pro, where the size would be bigger than the iPhone 7 and would incorporate better technologies.

Source: BGR , Techradar 

In terms of colours, we might be seeing a new one. “Deep Blue” coloured iPhone has been spotted abd it sure looks cool. The Space Gray might be swapped for an all-black colour scheme. All rumoured by China Unicom.

Source: BGR, BGR 

SCREEN

Screen size is said to be kept at 4.7 and 5.5 inch (Pro is rumoured to be 5.5-inch as well)

 This time, Apple will be using AMOLED technology on its screens.  -> For iPhone 7S (2017).

Source: BGR

CPU

The expected processor powering this year’s iPhone is most likely be the A10.

The RAM will differ according to the variant: iPhone 7 – 2GB, iPhone 7Plus/Pro – 3GB

CAMERA

We might be getting two types of camera on this year’s iPhones. One is a single 12MP camera which is bigger and should have a bigger aperture as well while the second one is a set of two 12MP cameras said to be found on the iPhone 7 Plus/Pro.

Source: Tech Radar

Other sources state that the dual-camera is now cancelled considering the fact that the technology is not yet matured.

Source: BGR

BATTERY

As of now, some are saying that the space left by the audio jack would be utilised to fit in a bigger battery. Though some others also noted that if the iPhone is indeed made thinner, the battery would be slightly reduced. Don't put your hopes up too high that there is going to be a major improvement in this category.

AUDIO

The space that is now gained from the removal of the earphone jack would then be replaced with a second speaker.

Source: CNET

OTHER NOTABLE FEATURES

1. iPhone 7 Plus/Pro will be getting wireless charging. On top of that it’s said to be water resistant now with a rating of IP68
   Source: TechRadar
2. Internal storage would also show an increase starting from 32GB, 128GB and 256GB.
    Source: Independent 

OTHER SOURCES:

BGR, TechRadar, T3,

iPhone SE: Probably the most boring iPhone ever released

This is not actually a surprising move. It has been predicted that Apple would come out with a 4-inch iPhone this year, although details on the specifications on the device is as usual shrouded. They have been many rumours though as with every iPhone but I would have to say this is the least exciting iPhone I have ever experienced.  Here is the iPhone SE

No your eyes are not deceiving you, and I’m also not trying to trick you. This is the new iPhone SE. Yes it looks exactly like the 5/5S, except if you’re using the latest colour addition, the Rose gold and the writings SE on the back.

Words to describe the SE: Safe, boring. One word to describe Apple: Lazy? Some have argued that this is an excellent strategic business move by Apple, they can save on R&D cost while clearing their old stocks. I would still say that they are a lazy bump. Why you asked? Here’s a picture of a custom iPhone 5/5S housing that can be found in certain shops in our country. The name of the shop is ChamoGadget, do pay them a visit if you need to repair your iPhones/iPads and they also provide custom housing replacements.

Yes, third party manufacturers have come out with iPhone 6 Mini housing for the 5/5S. If they can, don’t tell me Apple can’t. At least in terms of design you’ll be getting something different, albeit without needing too much inspiration but still you get something new.

Enough of me ranting on the design, lets talk specs! As this is considered an upgrade of the 5S, that will be the iPhone that I will be comparing it with. Internally the iPhone SE is actually an iPhone 6S embedded into the body of a 5/5S. Yes, you’ll be getting the same high-end latest processor by Apple (A9) with 2GB of RAM (versus 1GB in the 5S) alongside their 12MP iSight camera as well but that is where the similarity ends. The battery in the  SE is also slightly bigger than the one found in the 5S, 1642mAh vs 1560mAh. 

The screen still maintains the same resolution and the Touch ID is still the same. Colours are the same except for the new Rose Gold.

Overall a solid 4-inch smartphone that has some serious processing power and an excellent camera but the thing that still would not make me recommend the phone to someone would be the price. 

Even though Apple opted to use an older design with same display, mostly same components the price can be considered as closing to the high-end market.

For the 16GB model, you’ll have to fork out  RM1,949  while the 64GB (which you should get this one over 16GB if you are really intent in getting one) will cost you RM2,449. Oh and note that there is not 32GB option, cause well Apple want you to buy the more expensive and higher profit margin 64GB. More expensive than some other flagship smartphones (Huawei P9, Huawei Mate 8) and only slightly cheaper than the current best smartphone in the world, the Galaxy S7. 

For me, it’s just not worth it. At that price you could be getting the highest variant of the Xiaomi Mi 5 for example that should deliver the same processing power. But the choice is still in your hands, it’s a controversial issue but I personally would not recommend this even though it’s “the world’s most powerful 4-inch smartphone” as quoted by Apple. 

Maybe if one day they decide to drop the price a little bit more.

Source: Apple Malaysia, Digital Trends

Don't worry, the lack of headphone jack will make the iPhone "sound" better.

iPhone 7 Concept by Arthur Reis. Credits:Behance, Forbes

Here’s some iPhone rumours to dilute the amount of posts I’ve posted regarding the S7.

If you’ve been following the tech world, you are probably aware of the fact that Apple is said to consider removing the headphone jack altogether. Thus leaving the user to opt connect to the iPhone’s music through the Lightning connector or Bluetooth. 

So if you were wondering what would happened to the empty space left by the headphone jack then your question is now answered. According to an analyst at Barclays, that new available space will be occupied with an extra speaker. This would allow the iPhone to have a stereo sound compared to the lone speaker with current iPhones (The holes that you see next to the headphone jack are actually for the microphone).

To confirm it all, we just have to wait until the day of the launch for the next iPhone.

Source: The Independent

APPLE NOW SELLING ITS FIRST HEADPHONES WITH LIGHTNING CONNECTOR

Well guess what guys, the news that the headphone jack maybe removed from the iPhone 7 just keeps on strengthening day by day. Not the least slowed down by the fact that Apple has just launched on its online store, a premium headphone with a lightning connector!

By premium I mean a $799.95 (Around RM3,500) headphones made by Audeze. Its full name is Audeze EL-8 Titanium Closed-Back Headphones. For that price you'll get:

• World's first ever headphones with a fully integrated lightning cable (yippy #sarcastic)
• Built-in amplifier and 24-bit DAC converter in the cables 
• Superior performance for musics and even calls (mic is built inside the cable as well)

If Apple is thinking that they are giving their users options in the event that they do remove the headphone jack, this is NOT a cheap or affordable one. 

Source: Apple, MacRumours, Lowyat

Apple's new upgraded phones, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S Plus

 Hye guys! Sorry for that this post took something. I've actually been quite busy since I've just finished my first week at work! Yay! But I'll be making efforts to put in new contents as soon as possible. I'm going to post a post on the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus (eventhough it has been sold in certain countries it still hasn't reached Malaysia so maybe I'm still early) to those who might need information on these new models by Apple as pre-orders will open next week in Malaysia. Enjoy!

As expected the Apple Event went ahead at 1a.m. Malaysian time (which basically means no sleep for us in Malaysia who were watching it live) So what did Apple released this time around with their new motto

 "The only thing that's changed is everything".

Not surprising as most of us know that this is the 'S' year which means basically all of last year's models will receive internal upgrades rather than external (no complaining if it's deemed significant enough and if you happen to like the external design). So that morning Apple launced the iPhone 6S to replace the iPhone 6, and the iPhone 6S Plus to replace the iPhone 6 Plus. An addition to the now standard 3 colours is another fourth option that would certainly be a favourite among the ladies which is the ROSE GOLD colour.

Rumours circulated saying that Apple will be incorporating their Force Touch technology into their iPhone. While that actually happened, Apple decides to give it another name which is 3D Touch (same function). A new technology that Apple first introduced in the Apple Watch that was then placed in the new Macbook Air, it introduced a new method of navigating by sensing the difference between a touch and a press. While pressing an icon, a pop-menu will appear listing down all features actions. For example, pressing the camera app icon would bring up a list of action choices such as 'Take a Selfie', 'Record a video', 'Record a slo-mo' and 'Take a photo'. Other applications that has implemented this as well are Mail, Maps, MEssages, Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox and Wechat (many more to come).

Before this there were many bend issues with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus where apparently you could bent your iPhone 6 Plus with your hands if you applied enough force. To overcome this problem Apple this time used Series 7000 Aluminium  for the construction of the new iPhones (similar material found in the Apple Watch Sport) that is said to be stronger and could handle higher pressure. Unbox therapy has already done a stress test on the new aliminium chassis for the new iPhones, you can watch the video here.

In terms of screen size the iPhone 6S remains at 4.7-inch while the 6S Plus also remains at 5.5-inch. Both displays are ionized strengthened.

Moving onto the internal components, the iPhone 6S/Plus has a new A9 processor that is said to be built by Samsung and TSMC. The 64-bit A9 70% more power and 90% more graphics performance compared to the A8. The new co-processor M9 was also introduced and now records live health, fitness, movement informations.

Touch ID has also been upgraded to the second generation which is supposed to be twice faster,

The most ineresting part that I feel most of you guys are waiting for is that the camera has finally been upgraded! The previou camera was excellent but lately many competitors have stepped up their games and released cameras as good as or even better than the iPhones. Samsung with their S6/Edge and Note 5 which are better than iPhones' camera (tested by PhoneArena ) and LG G4 that is on par with the 6/Plus. And we still haven't taken into account Sony's latest improved lenses on the Xperia Z5 that uses Sony Exmor technology. So it's high time that Apple upgraded its camera. DxOMark has tested the Xperia Z5's camera and the result may surprise you. Here's the link.

After almost 4 years of using their iSight 8MP camera, Apple now introduced their new 12MP iSight camera. They said that they would only increase megapixel counts when they didn't have to compromise on the quality of the pictures taken. One of the advantages of this new camera is that it can now capture 50% more pixel, has a faster autofocus and best of all better pictures. (See example of photos below)

Photos meanwhile comes alive with the new Live Photo function that takes a photo a second before and after the shutter camera is pressed. It would also be sort of a short video to remake the memory of the time the photo was taken as it would record sounds as well. You can turn this feature on or off by pressing the button on the top of the camera app. After that you just take a Live Photo as you would take a normal one.

The new camera has the ability to now capture Panoramas as big as 63MP. It's also capable of recording 4K video (eventhough you can't watch it on your phone)! The front camera also received a boost to now a 5MP Facetime HD for brighter and more beautiful selfies. If the rear camera has the True Tone flash, the front camera now uses the screen as a flash. 'Retina Flash' mimics the True Tone Flash by increasing the brightness of the display by 3x the standard.

Choices of storage for the new iPhones this time around is 16GB, 64GB and 128GB. In my opinion 16GB is not enough now as resolutions of videos keeps on increasing, applications requiring more MBs, you'll quickly find yourself needing more space.

The Wi-fi connectivity on the phone has been upgraded to be twice faster while there is now support for LTE Advance as well.

iPhone 6S and 6S Plus will ship with the new iOS 9. For more information about it, do visit this link. The expected date is on the 16 September.

Apple also surprisingly launced an Android app to entice android users to migrate which is the Move to iOS app. 

The new iPhones will be open for pre-orders in the US and the first batch of countries by September 12 and worldwide sales would be on 25 September (Singapore is among the first, Malaysia will definitely be left out)

Souce: Apple.com


GALLERY

Photos taken with the iSight 12MP/iPhone 6S/Plus

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