14 DAY TRIAL // Apple’s already working on the next-generation iPhone, which, according to sources, could arrive sooner than expected, but a new report claims the company’s actually preparing not one, not two, but five different models for the upcoming lineup.
Citing unnamed sources, G for Games claims that Apple has created five different prototypes that could help build the upcoming iPhone 7, each packed with new technologies as compared to the existing models.
First and foremost, one of the models that Apple has already developed features a USB-C port instead of the traditional Lightning connector. This change, however, is very unlikely, given the fact that Apple’s investing in Lightning ports these days, and rumor has it that it’s even working on a new headset that would specifically use this connector.
Then, there’s a different iPhone 7 prototype that employs wireless charging technology, one of the most anticipated features for iPhone users. This kind of charging system is already available on a plethora of other mobile phones on the market, including even Microsoft Lumia devices, but Apple hasn’t yet introduced it on the iPhone, so the upcoming model could boast it too.
No home button?
Additionally, there’s another concept that features what the aforementioned source calls “multi-touch Force Touch,” which is likely to be an evolved version of 3D Touch, originally known as Force Touch. Basically, multi-touch Force Touch would allow you to access different options when using more than a finger on the pressure-sensitive screen. Using one finger could bring up one set of options, two fingers other options, and so on.
And last but not least, there’s the option that could really bring a significant change in terms of design for iPhone 7. Apple is said to be working on a different concept that would replace the Touch ID sensor, currently built into the home button, with an in-display fingerprint recognition system. This would help replace the home button completely and thus remove the upper and bottom bezels, making the iPhone a bezel-free device.
Removing the bezel could, therefore, significantly improve the design of the upcoming iPhone and adjust dimensions in order to make it easier to carry around, especially in the case of the Plus version, so getting rid of the signature home button could be a way to achieve this.
Obviously, take all of these with a healthy pinch of salt because Apple is yet to confirm any of these, but if they are true, expect the iPhone 7 to really be a hit.