With only a day to go before Apple launches the much talked-about iPhone 7 and its bigger cousin the iPhone 7 Plus, a last-minute “leak” by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reveals some unexpected features on the new smartphones from Apple.
We already know that the iPhone 7 will not have a 3.5 mm audio jack and will primarily get by on the merits of its camera, memory and speed upgrades. Here are some of the features you can expect, a-la-Kuo:
True Tone display, like the one on the iPad Pro with quicker response times using laser-based proximity sensor
Rumors of a 256GB variant of the iPhone 7 Plus confirmed, along with 32GB and 128GB for other models
Dual rear camera on the iPhone 7 Plus will be 12MP, with 1x telephoto lens and 1x wide angle lens for different types of photo needs
Low-light photography gets better with more sensitive ambient light sensors
4 flash LEDs instead of two, with cool and warm color options
Integrated amplifier and an additional external speaker
3GB RAM on the iPhone 7 Plus, 2GB on the iPhone 7
A10 processor for up to 30% improved performance
Home button gone! Replaced with non-clicking haptic feedback touch sensor
3D Touch 2.0 with improved haptic feedback
Two new colors – dark black and piano black. No more space grey
No unseemly antenna band on the rear panel
While we’ve already covered most of the above possibilities in our earlier articles on the iPhone 7, it seems that Apple has decided to go ahead with removing the familiar home button that graces the front panel of all iPhone 7 predecessors.
We’ve already known about the missing 3.5 mm audio jack for a while now, as well as Apple’s workaround of providing an adaptor and a pair of lightning EarPods with the iPhone 7 models. While some might still miss the analog feel of the older headsets, if the lightning connector can provide superior clarity, die-hard music fans may just forgive Apple for this transgression.
The additional camera lens will give the iPhone 7 Plus a distinct advantage over other phones, but considering the fact that the artificial intelligence-based Microsoft Pix app is better than the built in camera, we’re not sure if Pix will make the iPhone 7 Plus’ photos even better. Low-light photography has long been a challenge for Apple, so we’ll have to wait and see if the ambient light sensors will actually deliver the goods.
The most shocking revelation, however, seems to be the early demise of the home button. Long-time Apple users may not feel as comfortable without a home button, but since Apple has really improved its Touch ID performance, it hopefully won’t be missed that much.
On the whole, it seems like they’ve put in quite an effort to make a distinction between the iPhone 7 and last year’s iPhone 6 variants. The iPhone 7 may not be as revolutionary as many expect, but I have a feeling Apple will reach the sorely needed 79 million unit sales in a very short time after the devices are made available. If they don’t, everything will depend on the 2017 iPhone 8.
Let the countdown begin…
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