iPhone 7, 6s & 6c: Release date, rumours & specs

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have only been out in the world for a short time, but the rumour mill has already turned its attention to what Apple may release next. The iPhone 6c and iPhone 6s have been hinted at by various sources, alongside the iPhone 7, and some potential details have begun to emerge.

How many iPhones?

Apple could announce three phones during 2015 - the iPhone 6s, 6c and 7. All are reported to sport curved or “flexible” displays.

Some concept images of what could turn out to be the iPhone 6c recently emerged online (via 3dfuture), showing a similarly colourful design to the iPhone 5c. Based on the pictures, the handset could look very similar to the iPhone 6, yet with the colour of the home button/Touch ID matching that of the outer case.

MacWorld claims the iPhone 7 could also have “sidewall displays,” saying: “Apple has published a patent relating to such displays, which hints at a future iPhone with a display that extends onto the sides of the device, providing interactive or touch sensitive portions that give access to the slide to unlock functionality, music player controls, messaging readout, caller ID, system controls and more.”

Some reports have theorised the iPhone 6s could launch with the Apple Watch in the first half of the year, reports KnowYourMobile, while the iPhone 7 will take the usual slot of later in Q3.

“The new schedule is expected to stagger the releases of two devices in 2015 to capitalise on sales,” the Mail Online reports. “Apple could release the iPhone 6s to people who want to upgrade to a slightly cheaper model, before announcing its flashship iPhone 7 in the autumn.”

Some sources have claimed Apple may be planning another 4in iPhone, taking the role of the company’s ‘budget’ handset after the success of the larger iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2014.

The iPhone 4S and iPhone 5c are expected to be discontinued later this year. However, Apple has not confirmed this.

Specs

The most recent rumours surrounding the iPhone 7 is that it will be the first iOS smartphone with 2GB of RAM. People had expected the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to make the move from 1GB to 2GB, but this did not happen. As applications become more data hungry this becomes just as crucial as processor speed.

TechnoBuffallo reports that Apple will indeed be doubling the RAM for upcoming iPhone and iPad releases, which could indicate the iPhone 7 would ship with 2GB of RAM, improving multi-tasking as well as general performance.

Re/code has reported that Samsung will produce the A9 chips for the next-generation iPhone. Apple had previously started to draw away from using Samsung for its components, relying on the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company for the iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus A8 chips.

Apple Insider uncovered reports that one of the new devices, tentatively dubbed the iPhone 6s, may have 3D touch sensors, Force Touch.

Apple commenter John Gruber has claimed Apple’s next iPhone camera will be a huge step up from current devices with a “two-lens system where the back camera uses two lenses and somehow takes it up into DSLR quality imagery.”

The report from Apple Insider supports these claims, saying the new and improved camera module will also improve performance in low-light settings.

Rumours of sapphire glass for the iPhone first surfaced in regards to the iPhone 6, but financial problems at GT Advanced Technologies meant it was not included in the final device. Apple’s next batch of smartphones may feature the material, however.

ETNews reports that Apple and Samsung may work on an A9 processor for the iPhone 6s, which will offer the device more power in exchange for less energy.

New reports claim that Apple’s TouchID feature will see a huge update for the iPhone 7. Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities (via Apple Insider) says that shipments of TouchID will rise by 12.4 per cent in 2015, and the updated module will work to reduce reading errors to make Apple Pay safer.

Release date

It has been suggested Apple may space out its iPhone releases this year, so that the iPhone 6S will be released at the same time as the Apple Watch. This would happen during the first half of the year, whereas the iPhone 7 would be released at the usual time in the second half of 2015.

Speculation has this smaller device launching alongside new 4.7in and 5.6in handsets, possibly in September 2015, with the smallest 4-inch device being called the iPhone 6s mini, says Apple Insider.

Yet Mail Online has claimed Apple is planning to stagger future releases in order to “capitalise on sales,” and so we could see the iPhone 6s released ahead of an iPhone 7 launch in September.

This article was originally published on 15/1/15 and was updated on the 23/2/15 with the most recent information.