New reports surfaced that the Apple iPhone 7 will eliminate the home button and feature more battery life, among other things. The flagship handset is not set to release until later in 2016, but fans already have several predictions on the features and specifications.
Gene Munster by Piper Jaffray, a tech analyst, forwarded a note to investors as cited by Barron’s. Munster claimed that the iPhone 7 will feature a radically new concept in 2016. The smartphone will allegedly let go of the home button, which has been present on the device in the past decade. The next-generation iPhone will allegedly have a bigger display, improved battery life and a sapphire screen.
“Given a number change cycle, we expect the iPhone 7 to sport a unique design from the iPhone 6/6S. As many have speculated, the addition of 3D Touch may provide Apple with a way to eliminate the home button on the phone and use the additional space to make the screen bigger or make the device smaller,” Munster wrote.
He continued that one of the challenges to the new concept may be Touch ID, which is integrated into the home button at present. Apple will be compelled to possibly transfer the Touch ID reader to the side of the phone to remove the home button. Munster stated that the absence of a home button is 50% likely on the iPhone 7.
He also pointed out the possibility of longer battery life in the upcoming device. Munster wrote that in the past years, Apple was able to almost double the battery life of MacBooks, by introducing more efficient software and processors. He believes that the iPhone 7 will also make the same upgrade. Finally, he stated that a sapphire screen has been rumored to appear on the iPhone for a long time. Considering how the feature is already available on the Apple Watch, it is very likely that the iPhone 7 will also present the same. The Apple Watch may be a testing device to introduce new iPhone materials.
BGR reported that it is possible for the home button to disappear from the iPhone in the future, taking into account the new 3D Touch technology and new patent applications by Apple.
Forbes revealed that the iPhone 7 might showcase iOS 10 or iOS X. Following the company’s new exterior/new interior tick-tock approach, the next iPhone is expected to feature a significant change in terms of exterior design, while speed and features will take a backseat.
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