The iPhone7 is expected to be here in a few hours, 10:30 PM Indian standard Time to be exact, as per speculation that the Apple launch includes the much-awaited phone. Coming after the Apple iPhone SE release this past March, anticipation is running high in the tech community that the launch — announced through the official Apple Twitter handle which had been lying dormant since 2009 — would indeed include an iPhone7.
While some are expecting an Apple watch 2, health-based apps and enhanced cloud storage besides an updated line of Macbook Pro and Macbook Air laptop ranges to be launched today, most of the hype surrounding the launch is around the next-gen iPhone. Newindianexpress.com recollects a few features that tech punters have been betting the new iPhone will feature if launched today.
1. Design / Size/ Variants
People can expect the New Iphone 7 to come in three variants - iPhone 7, iPhone 7 plus, continuing with the 4.7 and 5.5 Inch variants and the iPhone 7 pro (featuring a dual-camera setup in mock models online). In early mock models of the device, images of which doing the rounds online, Apple is said to have let go of the 3.5 mm audio jack in favour of a lightning port based/Bluetooth-audio based solution, besides starting with 32 GB as minimum storage for the new device.
2. Operating System
Apple’s closed-source iOS 10 platform is likely to be launched with this device, the latest iteration of its mobile operating systems common among its mobile devices, tablets and wearables. iOs 10 has been running in beta version on Apple products since May. Apple have been known to build the best devices optimised on the chip-level for various applications that are created for it leading to better battery and usage time.
3. Processors/RAM
The processor and ram specifications, though not entirely clear, one can expect the RAM to be in the range of 3GB to 4 GB along with new A10 processors which can handle enhanced graphical content on the new phone with iOs 10.
4. Retina Display
What does retina display mean? Well it’s a term used by Apple for their display quality, while the iPhone 6 and 6s feature 1334x750p quality screens with only the plus range featuring Full HD screens (1920x1080p) screens, the iPhone 7 is expected to bring full HD and higher quality display across the range.
5. Telephony
With the world heavily investing in internet technology and 5G technology just around the corner, people will be expecting enhanced data modem speeds to increase as well as support many different technology like 4G LTE and more.
6. Apple Pay
Their NFC (Near Field Communication) based payment system along with Touch ID (Finger Print Authentication) also is expected to be available in its third-generation avatar.
7. Camera
Most tech pundits are playing their chips on the iPhone 7 having a dual-camera sensor setup which would enhance colour rendition and depth perception. Camera technology in the iPhone range has been stagnant for some time, as the only upgrade was when the iPhone 6S and SE debuted with 12 Megapixel cameras while the iPhone 6’s camera was an 8 MP one.
8. Pricing
The big question on everyone’s mind is the price of the phone. Apple has always placed itself in the premier range, with prices hitting astronomical proportions sometimes. The advantage abroad is that consumers can get their phones on contract, which allows them to own the device spending well below market rate of the phone while being tied to a specific mobile service provider and mobile plan, with voice and data usage for one year and above. Expectations are that the base model would be priced anywhere upward of Rs 60,000 for the Indian market.
The iPhone 6S has been retailing at close to Rs 50,000 for its 16 GB variant, while the iPhone SE has remained constant at its Indian launch price of Rs 39,000 at many of the Apple-authorised retailer stores in Chennai this week.