Customers stand beneath an Apple logo. (Photo : Reuters/Mike Segar)
Apple's next iPhone release date is bound to happen real soon as a new report claimed that the wholesale production of the iPhone 7 has already begun. But unlike in the past two years, the tech giant will unbox three 2016 iPhone models, including a supersize device that will be marketed as the iPhone 7 Pro, the report added.
According to MobiPicker, Taiwan-based device makers Foxconn and Pegatron have started the mass production of the next-generation iPhones. The next iPhone production activities appear to be in full swing as both Apple manufacturing partners have "reportedly increased the amount of staff at the assembly plant to meet the required deadlines."
And the need for the padded up workforce seems directly connected to the rumored addition of a third handset model that will join the regular iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. MobiPicker said that works are now underway for the iPhone 7 Pro, which like the 7 Plus will have a 5.5-inch display and likely to mirror the build, specs and features of its Apple phablet sibling.
But what could differentiate the 7 Pro from the 7 Plus are two features that will not be found on any other iPhones. One would be the speculated dual-camera system that is touted to bump up the iPhone shooting prowess to DSLR-class.
Another is the Smart Connector seen in recently-leaked iPhone back plate, which is seen to introduce wireless charging to the next iPhone. The same feature is also believed to permit easy pairing of the handset to accessories that will expand its smart features.
One possibility too is the use of OLED panel to the bigger iPhone display, which according to 9to5Mac is planned as an exclusive feature upgrade for the upcoming Apple phablet refresh. But the same report also made clear that OLED will not be part of the iPhone supply chain until 2018.
Truth to be told, MobiPicker said that the next iPhone with a dual-camera system, Smart Connector and OLED display is a narrative that remains in the rumor zone.
Yet with the production lines all fired up, the iPhone 7 release date could be happening ahead of schedule. Earlier reports have indicated that if the next iPhone mass production would begin May then the rollout could be set as early as August 2016.
