There are rumors that the Apple iPhone 7 will be released earlier next year. According a source, the next-generation flagship model may start to hit the shelves earlier than September 2016.
Apple Insider noted that the Apple iPhone 5 was launched on Sept. 21, 2012. The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus were released on Sept. 25, 2015. All iPhone models between those dates have also been released late in September. However, a reliable source said that the company might go for an earlier release in 2016. It is still unknown how early the upcoming device might launch. Before the launch of the iPhone 4s in October 2011, the first four generations of iPhone upgrades became available in June and July.
Apple seemed to be keen on introducing the iPhone 7 faster than before. Apple investors were concerned that the demand for the recently launched iPhone 6s might decrease, considering that there is little change in terms of the external design compared to the iPhone 6. The new smartphone will reportedly feature a new external design and an earlier release in 2016 might benefit Apple by maintaining the interest of users. The movie will allow the company to introduce a new handset as the demand for the current-generation model dwindles.
Ming-Chi Kuo, KGI Securities analyst, stated that the iPhone 7 series is set to begin production in the third quarter of 2016, which would mean that manufacturing may happen from July to September 2016. Kuo added that the upcoming device will feature several hardware upgrades, such as a 5.5-inch display (Plus variant), 3GB of RAM and an A10 processor. There may also be a second version with a 4.7-inch screen. The basic iPhone 7 is said to have 2GB of RAM.
Kuo added that Apple is planning to launch a 4-inch iPhone in the first half of 2016. In April 2015, AU Optronics reportedly received an order for 4-inch iPhone panels. Foxconn or Hon Hai, may be the exclusive supplier of the 4-inch device. If the rumors are true, Apple would have a number of devices ready to keep users interested until the big launch of the iPhone 7. The 4-inch “budget” handset is said to run on the A9 SoC and have no force-sensing 3D Touch features, which will be present in the iPhone 7. Kuo predicts that the smaller phone will sell about 20 to 30 million units in 2016.
More updates and details on the release date and specifications of the Apple iPhone 7 are expected soon.
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