What to expect from Apple’s ‘See you on the 7th’ event
It’s September, and that means it’s time for the next iPhone.
Earlier this week, Apple sent out invitations to a Sept. 7 event, drumming up excitement with the tag line “See you on the 7th.” Some industry watchers think that’s a play on words for the expected name of the new iPhone, the “iPhone 7.”
Apple has reported two straight quarters of year-over-year revenue declines and there are questions about demand for a device that remains the company’s main source of profit. Apple hopes faster iPhones with significant camera improvements will prop up sales ahead of an expected larger overhaul in 2017 for the device’s 10th anniversary. It’s set to release a faster Apple Watch with GPS to try to re-ignite interest in that nascent category.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect at Apple’s event from each product line:
A tweaked design that looks similar to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s, but removes the two innermost antenna lines on the back of the device for a cleaner look. The same 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen sizes as the previous two iPhone lines. A pressure-sensitive Home button that provides a vibrating sensation in response to button presses instead of an actual physical click, similar to the latest MacBook trackpads. The removal of the headphone jack in favour of a secondary grille for either an additional speaker or microphone. An improved single-lens rear camera system on the new 4.7-inch model. A new dual-lens camera system on the 5.5-inch model, allowing for deeper zooming with less reduction in clarity and better lowlight photography. A faster processor, a successor to the A9 chip in the iPhone 6s. Support for FeliCa-based payments in Japan, in the works for either this year’s model or next year’s overhaul.
NEW WATCH
A GPS chip for more accurate fitness tracking. A faster processor for launching applications and navigating the operating system. Battery-life improvements to support the power-intensive GPS.
SOFTWARE UPDATES
IOS 10 will be available on the iPhone 5 from 2012 and later. The updated software includes an improved iMessage application with support for new animations, stickers, and third-party plug-ins, voicemail transcription, notifications that show more detail, and an application for controlling smart home appliances.