[Updated with second, front-facing images] A photograph of what is claimed to be an "iPhone 7 Plus" has emerged on the web from Chinese website
Bastille Post, showing a slightly-protruding but all-new dual camera system in a general pill-shaped enclosure, along with the familiar microphone and flash. The mock-up device, which is -- like a supposed "iPhone SE" seen in a recent video in a Chinese market -- not shown to be working, also appears to confirm design details, including moving the "antenna bands" to be less obvious. Otherwise, the image shows the forthcoming iPhone to look very much like an iPhone 6s. Additional images showing the front of the device have the unit without a home button or Touch ID sensor.
A photograph of what
is claimed to be an "iPhone 7 Plus" has emerged on the web from Chinese website
Bastille Post, showing a slightly-protruding but all-new
dual camera system in a general pill-shaped enclosure, along with the familiar microphone and flash. The mock-up device is -- like a supposed "iPhone SE" seen in a recent video in a Chinese market -- not shown to be working, but otherwise looking very much like an iPhone 6s.
One other revelation from the image shows that the bottom back case of the "iPhone 7 Plus" appears to have the three-dot Smart Connector plug, used by the iPad Pro for attaching peripherals and power (it is unclear how this would work for an iPhone). While the photograph does not show it, the iPhone 7 line is rumored to drop the analog headphone jack in favor of utilizing the Lightning port for an all-digital or wireless (using Bluetooth). An aftermarket modification firm has
posted renderings of the forthcoming device based on the photo.
Field & Volk render of possible iPhone 7 design
The firm speculates that -- contrary to rumor reports -- the dual-camera system may be available for both the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, perhaps if the apparent otherwise-similar iPhone 6s style design is retained. If the images prove to be accurate, it would mark the first time since the iPhone 3GS that Apple did not significantly revamp the chassis design of the iPhone.
Rumors have it that the design's major outward changes, apart from the possibility of dual cameras, no analog headphone jack, and moved antennas would be that the "iPhone 7" will be somewhat thinner than the iPhone 6s (6.1mm for the iPhone 7 Plus as opposed the current 7.1mm width of the iPhone 6s). The "iPhone 7" would also replace the headphone jack by allegedly providing for true-stereo speakers on the bottom of the device.
Update: Further images of the mock-up obtained by
AppleInsider show the front of the claimed "iPhone 7," but don't show any trace of a home button or Touch ID sensor. While this casts further doubt as to the authenticity of the prototype, it does play into rumors that have persisted for some time that Apple wanted to or found a way to incorporate those sensors directly into the screen of the next iPhone, much as it did with the "3D Touch" technology in the iPhone 6s. If accurate, it would represent a significant design change that rumors of the "iPhone 7" have not supported up to this point.
Top