Rumours
2016 COULD see the release of the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus AND the iPhone SE -- now wouldn't THAT Be special!
Apple is REALLY shaking things up in 2016.
The company has now officially launched a 4in iPhone called the iPhone
SE and added a new product to its iPad Pro range, the iPad Pro 9.7. This
all happened at the company’s annual town hall meeting, where Tim Cook
discussed his company’s plans for the rest of the year as well
introducing a bunch of new environmental initiatives.
By now we've heard many rumours claiming the iPhone 7 will be the thinnest iPhone ever - ultra-thin, super-thin, the thinnest of the thin! Wafer thin? Anyway, the latest blurb down the grapevine claims this extreme thinness will go hand-in-hand with a couple of hardware innovations.
We’re even starting to get trickles on information through about Apple’s 2017 iPhone — the iPhone 7s. This handset will be the first iPhone to use OLED display technology, opening up lots of design possibilities for Apple with future iPhones — iPhone EDGE, anyone? Word on the street suggests Apple is so keen on making the switch from LCD to OLED it has fast-tracked the transition for next year — OLED was originally said to be happening in 2018.
Not much else is known though, sadly. But as is the case with all things Apple: we’ll no doubt be hearing a lot more about the iPhone 7s very soon, despite the fact its arrival is over a year away. Not that we need anymore excitement when it comes to Apple’s current roadmap — 2016 is the busiest we’ve ever seen the company. Just last month it broke tradition and release an iPhone in the first half of the year.
The iPhone SE is the cheapest iPhone Apple has ever produced. But that doesn’t mean its a slouch; nope, the phone itself is essentially the same as the iPhone 6s with respect to imaging and specs. The only difference is RAM, design and the price of the handset. Apple was keen to make sure everybody knew the iPhone SE WAS NOT a budget phone. No, this phone is there to show Apple’s customers that it is listening to their suggestions.
But all is not as rosy at it seems, according to certain reports about Apple's iPhone sales in 2016, leading many to ask: is Apple’s iPhone 6s struggling?
Perhaps — chip orders are very low compared to this time last year, claims DigiTimes, despite the company having new hardware in the form of the iPhone SE and iPad Pro 9.7 available on market.
“Overall chip orders placed by Apple for the second quarter will only be slightly higher than those for the first quarter, despite the upcoming availability of its 4-inch iPhone SE and 9.7-inch iPad Pro devices,” said the report.
Furthermore, the same sources said chip-orders for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have basically halved compared to last year. And this shortfall will be just too big for the iPhone SE which analysts expect to see sell in excess of 4-5 million units.
The arrival of the iPhone 7, however, will almost certainly bring things back in-line with what we've come to expect from Apple. Even more so if there turns out to be THREE iPhone 7 models.
"KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a research note that predicts two 5.5-inch versions of the "iPhone 7 Plus" are in development, one with a single iSight rear-facing camera and another boasting a dual-camera design," said MacRumors. "The rumored iPhone 7 Plus model with a dual-lens camera system would take advantage of imaging algorithms that Apple acquired through its purchase of Israeli camera technology company LinX Imaging last year."
This will make 2016 Apple’s busiest year for a very long time. Never before has the company launched so much hardware in such as short space of time. Even just a few years ago the idea of a dual-iPhone launch seemed bizarre — and now we’re looking at three (and one inside Q1, no less).
From Kou himself: “New iPhone shipments to be capped by similar form factor as iPhone 6s & 6s Plus; top hardware upgrade is dual-camera (5.5-inch model only), though many competing models with dual-camera will launch soon, joining others already on the market; first impressions could underwhelm.”
So, it looks as if Apple is going down the fragmentation route. The company wants people who want the best camera to shell out for the larger iPhone screen—even though that larger screen might not fit their hands the best.
Above: three different LinX Technology multi-aperture camera modules
So just what will the normal-sized iPhone 7 be missing out on? As Macrumors notes: “The rumored camera improvements have been linked to Apple's acquisition of LinX Technology, which could lead to "DSLR-quality" photos on iPhones. LinX's multi-aperture cameras are also smaller sized than single-aperture cameras, meaning the iPhone 7 Plus could have a slightly less protruding camera lens.
“LinX camera modules have a number of other benefits, including 3D depth mapping, better color accuracy and uniformity, ultra HDR, low noise levels, higher resolution, low costs, zero shutter lag, and a compact design that allows for edge-to-edge displays. A recent video demo provides a good overview of dual-camera technology.”
So, thanks for NOTHING, Apple.
“As described by Apple, images from both lenses can be displayed on
the same screen in the Camera app through a split-screen view that shows
a standard wide-angle image on one side and the zoomed image on the
other side,” notes MacRumors.
“When capturing a video or a photo, users are able to transition
between both lenses seamlessly, tapping on a spot in the photo to zoom
in with a second lens. Apple's system would work similarly to digital
zoom does today, but because it's using a lens with a longer focal
length instead of zooming in through software, there's no loss of detail
and the zoomed in image is much more crisp and clear.”
The antenna switch is the module inside the iPhone that allows the device to switch between cellular bands, such as LTE, GSM and CDMA. The new technology will package this antenna switch in a “fanned out” layout, meaning it will be more spread out, allowing it to be flatter.
As ETNews reports: “Fan Out technology is a technology that increases number of I/O (Input/Output) terminals within a package by pulling out wiring of I/O terminals to outside from a semiconductor chip (Die), which is a previous step before packaging. As area of a chip had become narrower as manufacturing processes had become finer, it was difficult to increase number of I/O terminals. Because industries do not want to increase size of a chip just for I/O terminals, they have been paying attention to Fan Out Packaging technology recently. It is most cost effective from production cost perspective if number of I/O terminals increases within a package while still decreasing size of a chip.”
Overall, this new design will allow Apple to pack more powerful components in, in a smaller space. And the fanned out design will also not see any noticeable feature loss over the older, bigger design.
The iPhone 7 proper (and, presumably, an iPhone 7 Plus) will be arriving in Apple's usual September slot, and while with solid number updates (ie: non "s" variants) usually introduce sweeping exterior design changes, the iPhone 7, it seems, will have a few more subtle, though not insignifcant, tweaks instead.
The latest leak from NoWhereElse shows that streamlining appears to be the name of the game this time round, with the iPhone 7 ditching the unsightly antenna bands (presumably integrating the necessary tech in a more discrete manner), as well as a near-flush-fitting camera lens instead of the old bulge.
The source of the image said the iPhone 7 will not feature a standard
3.5mm headphone port, either, though this isn’t all that surprising —
plenty of rumours and leaks have suggested the same thing: Apple will
use its Lightning Port for headphones and charging.
MacRumors says these images are consistent with leaked information it received last month, which claimed the handset would lack antenna bands across the rear.
“As expected,” said the report, “the images show antenna bands are limited to the sides and around the top and bottom edges of the chassis.
In addition to the cleaner all-metal look, the images of the rear of the case depict a larger hole for the camera. The orifice is described as closer to the edges of the chassis and forming a ‘slight bulging outgrowth’, a phrasing which doesn't contradict our earlier source's claim that the camera sits flush with the rear casing.”
A lot has also been reported about the iPhone 7 using a dual-sensor setup, however, more recently it has been reported that this will likely be exclusive to a third iPhone 7 model, currently referred to as the iPhone 7 Pro.
Whether or not the iPhone 7 Pro surfaces in 2016 remains to be seen. Apple is expected to announce the iPhone SE on March 21, alongside a 9.7in version of the iPad Pro and, potentially, a big, new Apple Watch update.
As of March 15, images have emerged online showing the alleged dual-camera module destined for the iPhone 7 Pro, and as per the rumours it appears to feature one aperture that is wider than the other. It is believed, however, that despite this difference between the sensors they will both be Sony-made 12MP units and may use technology from Apple's relatively recent imaging tech acquisition; Israeli firm LinX. The images appeared via multiple sources in China and Taiwan, including users on the Weibo social network, Apple.club.tw and chuangsong.me.
Kuo sent a research memo out to his KGI Securities clients on January 27 describing how the larger phablet iPhone 7 variant, the iPhone 7 Plus, would feature an enhanced camera with dual-lens optics. The tech is said to come from Israeli company LinX, which Apple purchased inside 2015. The line goes that this tech can use multiple small lenses and apertures to capture better quality photos by working in tandem with clever software algorithms. Previously LinX has boasted of image quality approaching DSLR levels.
By now we've heard many rumours claiming the iPhone 7 will be the thinnest iPhone ever - ultra-thin, super-thin, the thinnest of the thin! Wafer thin? Anyway, the latest blurb down the grapevine claims this extreme thinness will go hand-in-hand with a couple of hardware innovations.
We’re even starting to get trickles on information through about Apple’s 2017 iPhone — the iPhone 7s. This handset will be the first iPhone to use OLED display technology, opening up lots of design possibilities for Apple with future iPhones — iPhone EDGE, anyone? Word on the street suggests Apple is so keen on making the switch from LCD to OLED it has fast-tracked the transition for next year — OLED was originally said to be happening in 2018.
Not much else is known though, sadly. But as is the case with all things Apple: we’ll no doubt be hearing a lot more about the iPhone 7s very soon, despite the fact its arrival is over a year away. Not that we need anymore excitement when it comes to Apple’s current roadmap — 2016 is the busiest we’ve ever seen the company. Just last month it broke tradition and release an iPhone in the first half of the year.
The iPhone SE is the cheapest iPhone Apple has ever produced. But that doesn’t mean its a slouch; nope, the phone itself is essentially the same as the iPhone 6s with respect to imaging and specs. The only difference is RAM, design and the price of the handset. Apple was keen to make sure everybody knew the iPhone SE WAS NOT a budget phone. No, this phone is there to show Apple’s customers that it is listening to their suggestions.
But all is not as rosy at it seems, according to certain reports about Apple's iPhone sales in 2016, leading many to ask: is Apple’s iPhone 6s struggling?
Perhaps — chip orders are very low compared to this time last year, claims DigiTimes, despite the company having new hardware in the form of the iPhone SE and iPad Pro 9.7 available on market.
“Overall chip orders placed by Apple for the second quarter will only be slightly higher than those for the first quarter, despite the upcoming availability of its 4-inch iPhone SE and 9.7-inch iPad Pro devices,” said the report.
Furthermore, the same sources said chip-orders for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have basically halved compared to last year. And this shortfall will be just too big for the iPhone SE which analysts expect to see sell in excess of 4-5 million units.
The arrival of the iPhone 7, however, will almost certainly bring things back in-line with what we've come to expect from Apple. Even more so if there turns out to be THREE iPhone 7 models.
"KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a research note that predicts two 5.5-inch versions of the "iPhone 7 Plus" are in development, one with a single iSight rear-facing camera and another boasting a dual-camera design," said MacRumors. "The rumored iPhone 7 Plus model with a dual-lens camera system would take advantage of imaging algorithms that Apple acquired through its purchase of Israeli camera technology company LinX Imaging last year."
This will make 2016 Apple’s busiest year for a very long time. Never before has the company launched so much hardware in such as short space of time. Even just a few years ago the idea of a dual-iPhone launch seemed bizarre — and now we’re looking at three (and one inside Q1, no less).
Apple Drops The Ball: kick-ass dual camera system said to be 5.5in iPhone exclusive
Well, it looks like Apple didn’t listen to us. Superstar KGI Securities Apple analyst/fortune teller/maybe-Tim-Cook-in-disguise Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a new research note to clients confirming people’s worst fears: the new, totally amazing, dual lens camera system Apple is planning on introducing with the iPhone 7 will limited to the 5.5in “Plus” model, reports MacRumors.From Kou himself: “New iPhone shipments to be capped by similar form factor as iPhone 6s & 6s Plus; top hardware upgrade is dual-camera (5.5-inch model only), though many competing models with dual-camera will launch soon, joining others already on the market; first impressions could underwhelm.”
So, it looks as if Apple is going down the fragmentation route. The company wants people who want the best camera to shell out for the larger iPhone screen—even though that larger screen might not fit their hands the best.
So just what will the normal-sized iPhone 7 be missing out on? As Macrumors notes: “The rumored camera improvements have been linked to Apple's acquisition of LinX Technology, which could lead to "DSLR-quality" photos on iPhones. LinX's multi-aperture cameras are also smaller sized than single-aperture cameras, meaning the iPhone 7 Plus could have a slightly less protruding camera lens.
“LinX camera modules have a number of other benefits, including 3D depth mapping, better color accuracy and uniformity, ultra HDR, low noise levels, higher resolution, low costs, zero shutter lag, and a compact design that allows for edge-to-edge displays. A recent video demo provides a good overview of dual-camera technology.”
So, thanks for NOTHING, Apple.
iPhone 7 Dual-Lens Camera: How It Works
Apple did secure a patent for a dual-lens camera interface way back in January. The patent application shows just what Apple believes a dual-lens camera interface should look like, complete with diagrams and annotations. The patent outlined a dual-camera system that consisted of one standard wide-angle lens and a second telephoto lens capable of capturing zoomed-in video and photos. Both can be used together simultaneously and users will be able to merge images together in “unique” ways.
iPhone 7 will use a new packaging technology for the antenna switch to save space
By now it’s safe to say the iPhone 7 will be thinner than the iPhone 6s. Rumor after rumor suggest Apple is doing everything it can to shave every millimeter it can from the device. The latest rumor to this effect comes from Korean site ETNews. The site says Apple will be using a new technology to make the antenna switching chip inside the iPhone thinner, which will allow the overall iPhone to be thinner.The antenna switch is the module inside the iPhone that allows the device to switch between cellular bands, such as LTE, GSM and CDMA. The new technology will package this antenna switch in a “fanned out” layout, meaning it will be more spread out, allowing it to be flatter.
As ETNews reports: “Fan Out technology is a technology that increases number of I/O (Input/Output) terminals within a package by pulling out wiring of I/O terminals to outside from a semiconductor chip (Die), which is a previous step before packaging. As area of a chip had become narrower as manufacturing processes had become finer, it was difficult to increase number of I/O terminals. Because industries do not want to increase size of a chip just for I/O terminals, they have been paying attention to Fan Out Packaging technology recently. It is most cost effective from production cost perspective if number of I/O terminals increases within a package while still decreasing size of a chip.”
Overall, this new design will allow Apple to pack more powerful components in, in a smaller space. And the fanned out design will also not see any noticeable feature loss over the older, bigger design.
iPhone 7 Casing LEAKS Proves No Antenna Bands
Year-on-year the Apple iPhone dominates the mobile market, both in terms of being the most talked-about devices ahead of launch, and also the subsequent sales when they actually arrive. Apple news is big news. Apple is hosting a launch event on March 21, but that won't see the iPhone 7 arrive, oh no, that event is expected to reveal a new iPhone 5se (4in display), as well as some new iPads (iPad Air 3/iPad Pro Mini) and a possible new Apple Watch.The iPhone 7 proper (and, presumably, an iPhone 7 Plus) will be arriving in Apple's usual September slot, and while with solid number updates (ie: non "s" variants) usually introduce sweeping exterior design changes, the iPhone 7, it seems, will have a few more subtle, though not insignifcant, tweaks instead.
The latest leak from NoWhereElse shows that streamlining appears to be the name of the game this time round, with the iPhone 7 ditching the unsightly antenna bands (presumably integrating the necessary tech in a more discrete manner), as well as a near-flush-fitting camera lens instead of the old bulge.
MacRumors says these images are consistent with leaked information it received last month, which claimed the handset would lack antenna bands across the rear.
“As expected,” said the report, “the images show antenna bands are limited to the sides and around the top and bottom edges of the chassis.
In addition to the cleaner all-metal look, the images of the rear of the case depict a larger hole for the camera. The orifice is described as closer to the edges of the chassis and forming a ‘slight bulging outgrowth’, a phrasing which doesn't contradict our earlier source's claim that the camera sits flush with the rear casing.”
A lot has also been reported about the iPhone 7 using a dual-sensor setup, however, more recently it has been reported that this will likely be exclusive to a third iPhone 7 model, currently referred to as the iPhone 7 Pro.
Whether or not the iPhone 7 Pro surfaces in 2016 remains to be seen. Apple is expected to announce the iPhone SE on March 21, alongside a 9.7in version of the iPad Pro and, potentially, a big, new Apple Watch update.
As of March 15, images have emerged online showing the alleged dual-camera module destined for the iPhone 7 Pro, and as per the rumours it appears to feature one aperture that is wider than the other. It is believed, however, that despite this difference between the sensors they will both be Sony-made 12MP units and may use technology from Apple's relatively recent imaging tech acquisition; Israeli firm LinX. The images appeared via multiple sources in China and Taiwan, including users on the Weibo social network, Apple.club.tw and chuangsong.me.
Apple iPhone 7 Plus To Feature Optical Zoom & Dual-Camera
According to some info released by well-regarded analyst Ming-Chi Kuo the iPhone 7 Plus may come equipped with a dual-camera configuration, complete with an optical zoom capability. Normally you'd be right to take this kind of thing with a pinch of salt, but as we've mentioned before, Ming-Chi Kuo has a near impeccable track record when it comes to making pin-point accurate predictions of Apple's plans, particularly when it comes to the iPhone series. In other words, when he speaks, we pay close attention!Kuo sent a research memo out to his KGI Securities clients on January 27 describing how the larger phablet iPhone 7 variant, the iPhone 7 Plus, would feature an enhanced camera with dual-lens optics. The tech is said to come from Israeli company LinX, which Apple purchased inside 2015. The line goes that this tech can use multiple small lenses and apertures to capture better quality photos by working in tandem with clever software algorithms. Previously LinX has boasted of image quality approaching DSLR levels.
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