To be sure, Apple replacing the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are still months away but the speculations on the next iPhone are already gaining traction and the attending excitement. The latter is mostly pinned on the swirling rumors that the iPhone 7 on release date will represent a huge leap from the last two models.
Design revamp
Apple normally overhauls the iPhone design and build coming from the S version, which the iPhone 6S is. So the minimum expectation for the 2016 iPhones is an all-different look, a full revision of the make seen when the iPhone 6 and 6S rolled out.
Analysts have been saying that 3D Touch will remain as the iPhone 7 core feature and so is the design of the handset. One glaring change that likely will be implemented is the ditching of the physical Home button with Apple designers favoring an all-screen front panel.
The next iPhone is rumored too to boast of full waterproofing protection, CNET said in a report, noting as well that the feature has been a standard on a number of Android flagships, most notably Sony's Xperia series.
The power inside
Talks coming from Asia indicate that Apple will step up from A9 to A10 processing chip in time for the iPhone 7 launch in 2016 and the new SoC will be supported by RAM provision of 4GB at the minimum. If true, this would translate to a mightier, faster and super-stable performance coming from the next iPhone.
And there will be one giant bonus - longer operating hours thanks to the tandem of A10 and Apple's upcoming mobile operating system, iOS 10.
Screen
Rumors are rife that from LCD, Apple will shift to OLED display panel and tech giant has reportedly tapped LG Display as the chief supplier. And speculations abound too that from Corning Gorilla as glass coating, the iPhone maker will finally deploy sapphire as the screen protector that will render the next iPhone virtually free of dent and scratches through its lifecycle.
Connectivity
Among the latest whispers on the next iPhone is the likelihood of the 3.5mm audio jack disappearing from the device, which could mean higher quality sound quality and should impact on the overall iPhone 7 build. Expect a slimmer than ever 2016 iPhone if indeed the aging audio connectivity will be retired come the next iPhone rollout.
Launch timing
Apple is said to stage an event March next year, firing up the rumors that the iPhone 7 2016 release date would happen earlier than expected. However, it is more likely that the occasion is reserved for the Apple Watch 2 introduction and if a handset is scheduled for unboxing it would be for the 4-inch iPhone 6C, reports said.