Rumors

The iPhone 7 leaks are coming at a fast pace, starting with this weekend where alleged iPhone 7 images were posted on the Chinese microblogging site, Weibo. The images revealed that the next-generation iPhone will continue to feature a protruding camera and it will also include redesigned antenna lines. The Weibo leak was followed with more sketchy images of an alleged iPhone 7 rear case, posted to the French blog, Nowhereelse.fr. This leak confirmed another rumor that the iPhone 7 would ship with four speakers, just like Apple's current iPad Pro lineup.

Rumors for the iPhone 7 have been all over the place since the release of the iPhone SE. There has been speculation that the next-generation iPhone would ship without a headphone jack, include a Smart Connector and be Apple's first fully waterproof device. On Sunday, Editor of the French blog Nowhereelse.fr, Steve Hemmerstoffer released several images of an alleged rear case of an iPhone 7 prototype that threw more fuel on the rumor fire. The images were taken from a promotional video created by an Italian case maker who claims he received the rear shell in anticipation of the upcoming iPhone refresh.

Apple is set to make a splash for the 10th anniversary iPhone next year. According to the latest rumors, the company will break new ground in industrial design with radical changes to the iPhone 8. Most of the leaks surrounding the upcoming iPhone 7, which is expected to launch in September, point to a design very similar to the iPhone 6s. This has analysts worried that consumers will not be excited enough to upgrade their devices.

Now that iPhone SE has been available for a few weeks the Apple rumor mill has turned its attention to the iPhone 7. The next-generation Apple handset is not expected to include any major new features, but recent reports have suggested that the new device will be equipped with a Smart Connector. The Smart Connector was first introduced on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro as an easier and quicker way to transfer both data and power from the new tablet to accessories, like the Smart Keyboard. The newly released 9.7-inch iPad Pro was the second device to feature the new charging option, but a recent report from Japanese site Mac Otakara claims Apple has decided not to include on its next smartphone.

More iPhone 7 leaks point to a next generation Apple device with a similar form factor as the current generation iPhone 6s. Design changes are said to be subtle, with antenna lines being moved to the edges of the iPhone 7 or made invisible entirely. The dimensions and thickness of the next iPhone aren't expected to change much, but this doesn't mean Apple has no new tricks up its sleeve.