Here's what to expect from the ninth generation of Apple's flagship device.
Name
If
recent patterns hold, the phone will be called iPhone 6S -- assuming
it's a relatively modest upgrade over last year's iPhone 6. But if Apple
overhauls the handset, it may ditch the odd-year "S" naming convention
and call it iPhone 7.
There's
a perception among some consumers that the "S" models aren't as
desirable as the others. And Apple may eventually choose to drop the
numbers and letters entirely ("iPhone 19S" doesn't have a great ring to
it).
Until then, we're betting on iPhone 6S.
Size
Reports
suggest that after enlarging the device several times in recent years,
Apple will retain the same display size as last year's phones -- a
4.7-inch diagonal screen for the regular model and 5.5 inches for the
Plus model. But the new phones may be slightly thicker.
According to the Wall Street Journal, whose Apple sources are usually reliable, the physical design will remain unchanged.
Apple will fix iPhone 6 Plus phones that take blurry photos
Colors
Apple
made a splash several years ago when it broadened its black-and-white
iPhone palette to include gold, silver and "space gray."
Apple blog 9to5Mac says Apple this year is set to add a new color: rose gold, which means a coppery hue. The Apple Watch comes in that color.
Release date
Apple
typically begins selling new iPhones in the United States a week or so
after they're unveiled, and always on a Friday. For example, the iPhone 6
went on sale 10 days after last year's launch event.
So the first day you'll likely be able to get your mitts on a new iPhone will be September 18.
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Features
As
usual, Apple will pack the new phones with a faster processor and an
improved camera. Reports say the next cameras will boast 12 megapixels
(they're 8 megapixels now) and 4K video recording.
But the biggest new feature, and the one Apple will be promoting most, will likely be something called Force Touch.
Already in use on the Apple Watch,
Force Touch uses tiny electrodes around the display that can
distinguish between a light tap and a deep press. Users can tap the
screen to open an app or press down firmly to access a new range of
additional controls.
