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Apple iPhone 7: Everything we know so far

By Cookie Monster - 7 Sep 2016

Number of iPhone models

Note: Article was first published on 30th August 2016 and updated on 4th September 2016.

Apple iPhone 7 rumor roundup

The time has come for the annual iPhone refresh cycle and leaks on the devices have been surfacing for a few months. Here's a summary of what we know so far about the iPhone 7:

 

1.) Will Apple be introducing two or three iPhone models this year?

Since 2013, Apple has been releasing two iPhone models in its annual refresh cycle. We saw the introduction of the iPhone 5s and 5c in 2013, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in 2014, and the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus in 2015. Earlier this year, there were rumors suggesting this year could see the launch of three iPhone models in September.

KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported in January that Apple was preparing to launch two models of the 5.5-inch iPhone this year. One model was reportedly coming with a single camera module on the rear while the other was said to have a dual-camera module.  

In March, Chinese sources provided an image of the 5.5-inch iPhone with a Smart Connector, suggesting that this could be the "Pro" variant. Japanese blog Macotakara followed up with similar claims that there would be a Smart Connector on the bigger iPhone which indirectly hinted that a dual-camera setup and Smart Connector could be the differentiating factors between the standard and "Pro" models. 

Just a month ago, French website Nowhereelse obtained photos of three iPhone models to back up these claims. Weeks later, Nowhereelse uploaded a three-minute long video where the three models of the iPhone can be viewed from different angles.

The existence of the third iPhone model was confirmed by Nikkei Asian Review earlier this month when it claimed that Apple made a last minute decision to ditch plans for a third iPhone model. Apparently, fierce competition from Huawei and Samsung forced Apple to make the change "mere months before the launch". Macotakara reversed its earlier report and also confirmed that the third iPhone model was eventually cancelled

Safe to say, we can expect Apple to stick to its strategy of releasing two iPhone models in September. 

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