Designing the Apple iPhone 7: What Features Make Sense

Although Apple hasn’t confirmed that it is working on a new iPhone, the company has launched new handsets every year and 2016 is unlikely to be any different.

Apple will be content to offer the same screen sizes as its iPhone 6s line, according to reports. That suggests that Apple will not follow some other device makers and offer a 6-inch screen. Instead, Apple will deliver its standard 4.7- and 5.5-inch displays in its iPhone 7.

This is a rumor that has been lingering for quite some time, but it’s possible Apple may finally offer sapphire displays in the iPhone 7. The company has used sapphire in certain devices, including on the lenses for its iPhones and on Apple Watch, but it has yet to make a true sapphire screen on the smartphone side. If Apple wants to make a splash with the iPhone 7, it may make that move this time around.

Apple is also due to introduce a new version of iOS in time for the iPhone 7 in 2016. Although there are few rumors surrounding what it will come with, iOS 10 is sure to have some performance enhancements and perhaps some new apps bundled with the mobile operating system.

The iPhone 7 will ship with a next-generation CPU, the A10, which will replace the current generation A9. The A10 processor will likely be substantially more powerful than the A9 and allow developers to take advantage of a performance bonus in their applications.

Several reports say that Apple will be offering a completely new design in the iPhone 7. Those reports say that Apple’s device will feature a much smaller bezel and could be all glass, ditching physical buttons altogether while integrating Touch ID into the screen. While that seems unlikely, expect the iPhone 7 to look notably different than the iPhone 6s.

Apple hasn’t invested much over the years in its iPhone camera technology. In fact, it’s often behind some of its top competitors in the market when it comes to megapixels and overall picture quality. That is expected to remain the same with the iPhone 7, which the rumor mill says will come with a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera and 5-megapixel front-facing sensor.

The iPhone 6S is one of the best smartphone designs on the market when it comes to preventing water intrusion. However, several market analysts say that Apple believes it can deliver an even more watertight iPhone 7design. That could be a major selling point for users who have ruined handsets due to water exposure.

One of the major sticking points for Apple products has been a lack of RAM. In fact, most of Apple’s mobile market competitors offer far more RAM than the iPhone, which some users believe delivers better performance. The iPhone 7 will attempt to fix that issue by offering 3GB of RAM, according to reports. However, by then, some of the iPhone’s top Android competitors will feature 4GB of RAM, so Apple will still be trailing.

In an odd twist, Apple may decide to offer a smaller screen in addition to the standard iPhone 7 models. The iPhone 7 will definitely feature 4.7- and 5.5-inch screens, according to reports, but Apple could also unveil another iPhone that would complement those products and feature a 4-inch screen. While some reports say the 4-inch screen could launch before the iPhone 7 later next year, signs are increasingly pointing to Apple launching all three devices at once.

Apple has kept prices the same across succeeding iPhone generations, and there is no reason to suggest the company will modify that policy in 2016. In fact, market analysts say that Apple will offer its iPhone 7 at the same prices as its iPhone 6s line but still find ways to save money in its supply chain to help boost profit margins.