Last-minute iPhone 7 rumors point to water resistance, five color options
The announcement of the "iPhone 7" is believed to be only a few hours away, but that isn't stopping last-minute leaks and rumors from streaming in. Noted Apple analyst Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities released several details -- that were previously unheard or up in the air -- in a note to analysts over the weekend.
iPhon
Most notably, Kuo says the iPhone 7 will be available in 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options -- moving away from the 16GB and 64GB options previously available. It will also be available in the current rose gold, gold, and silver color options, and Apple will add "dark black" and "piano black" to replace the space gray previously available.
Surprisingly, Apple is said to take on its competitors by adding IP7X water resistance to the iPhone 7, a similar feature available on the Apple Watch. While not completely water proof, IP7X rating could help deter small amounts of water damage. It's not clear how much Apple will encourage the feature, given how risky iPhones are to break.
The internals of the iPhone 7 will get a spec bump, adding 3GB of RAM and a new 2.4-2.45GHz A10 chip believed to be manufactured by TSMC, the report says. The screen is also believed to have better clarity, thanks to the True Tone technology, which adds a wider color gamut like what's found on the iMac and new iPads.
'iPhone 7' dummy units hint at design changes
The Touch ID on the iPhone 7 will add haptic feedback, mimicking a clicking sensation when a user presses down on the button -- rather than being mechanical like other versions. This is believed to help the water resistance of the handset.
As for the camera, Apple is expected to make the "iPhone 7 Plus" the go-to camera model. Kuo says we should expect a dual-lens camera on the larger iPhone version. One will be 12-megapixel with a wide-angle camera and larger pixel sizes to focus on optical image stabilization, while the second 12-megapixel camera will be a telephoto lens with smaller pixel sizes.
Previous rumors indicated Apple will feature "Lytro"-like features on the iPhone 7 Plus, allowing users to refocus a photo after it has been taken. Three will be four LED flashes for improved color accuracy. The smaller iPhone 7 will stick with the plain 12-megapixel camera.
Kuo reiterates several iPhone 7 rumors, including that the handset won't feature a headphone jack and FeliCa NFC support for models sold in Japan.
As with all rumors, we encourage you to take them with a grain of salt. Luckily, Kuo has a stellar track record in sharing Apple rumors.
ZDNet will be live from the Apple event on Wednesday, starting at 10 am PST, with the latest news and hands-on impressions of what CEO Tim Cook will announce.
[via MacRumors, AppleInsider]