New iPhone 7 schematic images show dual-camera exclusive to Plus model, no Smart Connector

Over the weekend we saw a trio of iPhone 7 leaks showing the redesigned antenna lines, dual-camera module, speaker grilles, and a new 256GB storage chip. Now, HDBlog has uncovered a new set of images from Chinese web forum Baidu claiming to show schematics for both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. The images show the dual-camera being exclusive to the larger model, while Smart Connector holes are nowhere to be seen.

 

The images show molds of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7  Plus next to one another. As you can see in the images, the dual-camera set up that has been previously reported on appears to be exclusive to the iPhone 7 Plus. The 4.7-inch model, however, will still likely see camera upgrades thanks to a larger camera module.

Furthermore, holes for the Smart Connector are nowhere to be found on the larger iPhone 7 Plus. In the past, we’ve seen claimed images of the device with Smart Connector holes. A report from last week out of Japan claimed that the iPhone 7 didn’t support the Smart Connector like previously rumored either, as did a report from earlier this month. While it’s possible that the Smart Connector holes could be added at a later date, it’s looking more and more likely that the initial reports that claimed the iPhone 7 Plus would support the feature were inaccurate.

This weekend a new component leak showed the dual-camera module for the iPhone 7 Plus, as well as a new 256GB storage option. That report suggested that the storage lineup would be 16GB/64GB/128GB for the Plus model this year. Additionally, another leak showed a total of four speaker grilles, much like the recent iPad Pro models. Finally, a set of images this weekend claimed to show the iPhone 7’s redesigned antenna lines, screen cables, and a protruding camera.

While discussing rumors is fun, Apple is expected to officially announce the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus this fall. We’ll likely see software updates unveiled at next month’s WWDC, but iOS hardware announcements are generally saved for the fall. So until then, settle in for a few more months of rumors.

Apple already working on putting a virtual Home button into the iPhone screen.

The idea of replacing the iPhone’s physical Home button with a pure touch one embedded in the display has been around for quite a while now, but a report from the variably reliable DigiTimes claims that Apple is already working on the technology.

Apple is internally developing touch and display driver integration (TDDI) single-chip solutions for its iPhones, according to sources in Taiwan’s IC design industry.

The TDDI single-chip solutions will also come with integrated fingerprint sensors, said the sources. The integrated design would fit into future iPhone designs – models with ultra-thin and ultra-narrow displays, and with a whole plane design eliminating the Home button.

While the report doesn’t specifically reference embedding the home button into the display itself, referring only to ‘a whole plane design,’ this would seem to be what the report hints at …

 The Apple Watch of course already has a Force Touch sensor – but not Touch ID – embedded into the display.

As ever, the sketchy source suggests caution. It’s a likely development at some stage, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to happen anytime soon.

iPhone 7 specs rumors: A10 processor might be a 10nm TSMC job.

We aren’t anywhere close to the launch of the iPhone 6s, however that still hasn’t stopped rumors from flooding in about 2016’s iPhone 7. The Electronic Daily News says that TSMC, which is making A8 and A9 chips for certain iOS devices, is going to open a 10nm pilot line next month. The project could be further expanded and could end up making A10 chips for Apple’s 2016 iPhone 7 model next year.

Samsung and TSMC will supply A9 chip for this year’s new iPhones and iPads, built on 14nm and 16nm process technology, respectively. But TSMC is already looking forward to making 10nm and 7nm chips, which would be even more efficient than their 16nm predecessors

It might be too early for iPhone 7 rumors, but these new reports seem to indicate that TSMC is really interested in securing Apple orders for future iPhones. The publication says TSMC is aiming to become the sole supplier of A10 chips next year, though it’s also likely that TSMC will build 10nm chips for other potential clients next year not just for the iPhone 7.

TSMC’s main rival for obtaining A10 orders from Apple will still be Samsung, which along with TSMC will likely supply chips for Apple’s iPhone 6s. In addition to besting Samsung, the Taiwanese company is also looking to better compete against Intel’s own chips in the future.

7th heaven: iPhone 7 concept is everything you’re wishing for.

Four months down the line, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus still feel like new devices, but that’s not stopping enthusiastic, design-minded techies from creating concept showing how they hope Apple’s next generation iPhone will look.

This concept, created by Netherlands-based graphic designer Yasser Farahi, shows a sleeker iPhone with thinner bezel and profile, and a few of the less popular design features of the iPhone 6 taken out. Most enticing of all is Farahi’s dream of wireless charging: a technology which has been often rumored over the years, but not as of yet implemented by Apple.

Given that Farahi has chosen to name it the iPhone 7, this particular model would likely arrive in 2016, since this year will probably see the iPhone 6s, with the majority of changes being under the hood. Personally, I’m not mad keen on some of Farahi’s subdued color choices, but it’s still a tantalizing glimpse at what we could have to look forward to next year.

Check out more pictures, and a video, after the jump.

 

“I designed an iPhone that I would love to hold in my own hand,” Farahi tells Cult of Mac. “It’s a phone which keeps the iPhone 6’s rounded, shiny edges, but without the chunky and all-too-visible antenna lines. I also hate the camera protrusion on the iPhone 6, and as a concept designer — not an engineer — think there must be some way of extruding the lens only when the camera app starts.”

Yasser Farahi also moved the volume buttons to the right side of the phone, since “I hate when I press the power button and the volume buttons at the same time.”

As a final innovation, Farahi imagines improved sound quality for the iPhone 7.

“Stereo sound is one of the things I’ve been missing since the first iPhone,” he says. “In my opinion, stereo sound on the iPad Air, mini and later, sounds still mono. I came up with up with my own solution which doesn’t look and work like any other phone out there. Like the camera lens, stereo sound on my iPhone 7 would automatically activate only when needed. When holding the iPhone in landscape mode, iOS9 and the iPhone would calculate the position of the iPhone in X,Y,Z space and output the sound from the correct channel.”

Yes, at the end of the day it’s no more than another Apple fan postulating about what they’d like to see — but they’re intriguing ideas nonetheless.

Would you be happy with Yasser Farahi’s iPhone 7?