The iPhone 7 is almost here and it wouldn’t be an Apple AAPL +0.65%launch without Ming-Chi Kuo spoiling all the surprises. The KGI Securities analyst (widely regarded as “the best Apple analyst on the planet”) has revealed 15 major changes coming to both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus…
- New True Tone displays like the iPad Pro range, with laser based proximity sensors for faster response times
- 32GB, 128GB and 256GB storage tiers will replace 16GB, 64GB and 128GB
- 2x 12MP dual rear camera limited to iPhone 7 Plus, uses 1x wide angle and 1x telephoto lenses
- Upgraded ambient light sensors on both new iPhone cameras for better low light shots
- Camera flash LEDs doubled from two to four with warm and cool colours
- 3.5mm headphone jack removed
- Lightning EarPods and a 3.5mm to Lightning headphone adaptor included in the box
- Second external speaker and integrated amplifier for louder, richer output
- Basic IPX7 water resistance – both phones can withstand splashes and full submersion for up to 30 minutes. Not quite Galaxy S7 level (one hour+), but close.
- 2GB RAM for iPhone 7, 3GB RAM for iPhone 7 Plus
- Next generation A10 chipset sees CPUs hit 2.45GHz clock speeds and 20-30% performance gains
- 3D Touch 2.0 sensor with more distinct haptic feedback
- Home button replaced with non-clicking touch sensor with haptic feedback
- Antenna bands removed from the back of both models for cleaner look
- Two new colours: dark black and piano black (latter in limited quantities for 256GB model); space grey colour option ended
Breaking Down The Key Points
While the new colour options, reduced antenna bands, louder speaker and fixed home button are welcome upgrades, the real talking points here are the upgraded cameras, storage and removal of the headphone jack.
The last of these now seems virtually guaranteed since I first broke the news of Apple’s long term strategy in June 2014. Convincing users that the pros outweigh the obvious cons will be the key factor to the long term success of both new iPhones – especially without wireless charging now wired charging and wired headphones share the same port.
That said the upgraded storage and cameras are also very welcome and go hand-in-hand. If Apple is going to sell the idea that the new iPhones have the world’s best smartphone cameras then they need to come with more storage so people can take full advantage of them. If Apple follows through on both these claims it will be great news.
Interestingly Kuo hasn’t commented on leaks that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will receive the largest proportional battery upgrade in iPhone history. With the removal of the headphone jack, such increased practicality would be another key factor in persuading customers angry at its omission to stick with the company.
Yes, I doubt 2016 will go down as a classic iPhone year, but there should still be enough that’s shiny and new to satisfy the majority of Apple fans. The new iPhones will still sell in their millions, but don’t expect sales records until the radically overhauled 10th anniversary iPhone in 2017…
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