iPhone 7

Summary
Apple is expected to launch a next-gen 4.7-inch "iPhone 7" this September, within its usual timeframe. The previous iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s design will be changed, as Apple is believed to be planning an all-new chassis that will eliminate the camera "bump," as well as visible antenna bands. Expect a faster processor, better camera, and potentially the elimination of the 3.5mm headphone jack, requiring either Lightning or Bluetooth headphones.

Features
● Will probably ship in September
● New, thinner design
● Next-gen A10 chip with 2GB of RAM
● 16/64/128GB capacities
● Starting at $199 on contract, $649 without
● Smart Connector for charging
● Could ditch 3.5mm headphone jack
● 3GB RAM for dual camera model
● Probably     ● Maybe     ● Probably not


Appearance & Design

Early reports suggest Apple's next-gen iPhone will be even thinner than current models, potentially between 6.0 to 6.5mm thick. The slimmed down chassis is also expected to boast a revamped design. Some rumors claim iPhone 7 will move away from an all-metal construction to a new as-yet-unknown material, possibly ceramic. Other rumblings point to a completely flat screen that does away with curved edges found on iPhone 6s.

The phone may or may not be fully waterproof, which would be an evolution from the iPhone 6s, which is only partially water-resistant. If the headphone jack does disappear, it may be replaced with a second speaker. Recent schematic "leaks" suggest Apple might delete the 3.5mm headphone jack on the "iPhone 7 Plus," while keeping it intact on the smaller 4.7-inch version.


Some case leaks have suggested the possibility of a Smart Connector and/or a design without a home button. The iPad Pro can recharge through its Smart Connector, so it's possible the addition of the magnetic port to the iPhone 7 could allow new ways to dock or use an external battery case without needing to rely on the Lightning port. Smart Connector charging could also allow users to listen to audio through the Lightning port while repowering the battery.

Apple is thought to be preparing the usual two-model offering for 2016, likely sticking with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen sizes. There are strong rumors that a 4-inch iPhone will make an appearance, but similar rumors have circulated ever since Apple moved to a larger format with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. 

The Smart Connector-bearing "iPhone" bears a striking resemblance to Futurama's Bender.

The latest parts leaks feature an extra hole positioned just below iPhone's existing rear-facing microphone. Its intended purpose is unkown, though some have speculated the aperture might be used for a fast autofocus system or stereo sound recording.
Internals

Due to its slimmer profile, iPhone 7 is expected to integrate existing 3D Touch technology that detects pressure input via capacitive sensors embedded in the handset's backlight array. Apple will likely introduce a new system-on-chip design in 2016 which, if current naming conventions hold, should be dubbed A10. An M10 motion coprocessor is also likely to make an appearance, potentially embedded into the A-series SoC as with 2015's M9 design.

Apple reportedly tapped Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to handle all A10 processor orders, a change from iPhone 6s which saw its A9 dual-sourced from TSMC and Samsung. 

The iPhone 7 and/or the 7 Plus may potentially be equipped with a dual-lens camera, using two 12-megapixel sensors -- the second supporting a 2-3x telephoto lens. Supply issues could theoretically limit the dual-lens feature to a special model of the Plus, although one case leak suggests that the standard iPhone 7 might at least have a very different camera design.


According to the latest predictions from KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a solid track record when it comes to Apple's product pipeline, the larger 5.5-inch version of the company's next-gen smartphone will use the dual camera system, powered by imaging technology obtained from Apple's LinX acquisition, as a differentiator from the standard 4.7-inch handset.

To the dismay of some, supposedly leaked schematics show this two-aperture design will carry over "camera bump" aesthetic. To handle the extra processing requirements, the A10 chip might sport 3GB of RAM, up from the 2GB alloted to iPhone 6s. 

The phone could come equipped with a 7.04Whr battery, an upgrade from the 6.61Whr in the iPhone 6s.

Release Date

No hard evidence exists regarding Apple's iPhone 7 launch plans, but the company traditionally debuts its smartphone in early September with sales following one week later. With iPhone 6s, however, preorders went live two weeks prior to shipments.