Update (Sept 7): Apple will announce the new iPhone 7 today - so here's everything we know about the new phone so far. The latest suggests Apple will give the iPhone 7 a True Tone display as well as two dual-LED flashes on the rear camera. Plus you can also expect a few extra colors too.
Want to know the iPhone 7 release date or all the incoming features? You've come to the right place. We've collected all the latest from around the web, sifted through the likelihood of each rumor and given you our expert take on what to expect from Apple's launch - so read on to find the authoritative take on your possible next phone.
In a nutshell, Apple's about to announce a new duo of handsets - as well as a likely new smartwatch, the Apple Watch 2 - and the rumors heavily point to a phone that looks a lot like the iPhone 6 and 6S in shape.
However, there will be upgraded smarts to the camera, audio quality and screen technology - and, of course, it's highly likely there's going to be no headphone jack on offer either, which is sure to annoy more than a few people.
So here's what we know about the new iPhone - it's going to be interesting to see if Apple adds in any curveballs...
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- Fancy Android instead? Here's our full review of the Samsung Galaxy S7 andNote 7. Looking for something smaller? Then you'll want to check out the iPhone SE - while our iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 Pro rumors pages should cover all your big screen needs.
- Want to know about the next-gen rivals? Well, check out our expert analysis on the new Samsung phones for 2017 - including the Galaxy S8 release date and all we know on the Samsung Galaxy S8 Edge.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? A rebooted iPhone, with new powers, features and design
- When is it out? Today is launch day!
- What will it cost? Very likely the same as the iPhone 6S
iPhone 7 release date
Tim Cook will hold up the iPhone 7 and parade it around on stage on September 7 - that's today!
The not-coincidentally-timed launch date appeared in invites sent to TechRadar and other media outlets, saying, "See you on the 7th." That doesn't mean it'll be in your own hands then, however.
The actual iPhone 7 release date is expected to be on the tail end of the next week, Friday September 16, with iPhone 7 pre-orders happening one week prior to that, Friday, September 9.
It's no surprise that Apple is launching the new iPhone in September. It's done so ever since the iPhone 5 (not counting March iPhone SE launch), and iOS 10 is due this autumn season, too.
TechRadar's take: The iPhone 7 launch date is now confirmed for September 7. The timing of the release date in stores isn't completely nailed down, but history has proven it'll be September 16.
- Everything you need to know about the iPhone 7 release date
- iPhone 7 deals: how much will it cost?
iPhone 7 cost
Hottest leaks:
- Prices to remain static
- Smallest storage size to increase to 32GB for same cost
- 256GB model at the top end
The iPhone cost rarely varies from year to year, and price rumors from Weibosuggest just that.
That means the iPhone 7 price will be around US$649 (£539, AU$1079), but here's the good news: for that money you'll apparently get 32GB of storage rather than 16GB.
At the top end it will be more expensive than the US$849 / £699 / AU$1379 iPhone 6S 128GB, but you'll apparently get 256GB of storage.
There's some confusion over whether there will be a 64GB or 128GB 'middle option': a leak from WeChat, spotted by BGR, agree on the prices for all three sizes, with the middle choice coming in at 6088 yuan, which is the same price as the mid-sized (64GB) iPhone 6S in China, around £619 / US$749 / AU$1229.
The sources can't agree on is whether you'll get 64GB of storage or 128GB for that money - 32GB, 64GB and 128GB options seem the most likely.
That said, there's a growing amount of evidence for a 256GB iPhone 7, from a leaked order assembly sheet, to manufacturing sources.
TechRadar's take: A larger base storage option, but very little price rise as the iPhone is already at the top end of acceptable cost.
- Everything else we know about the iPhone 7 price
iPhone 7 design
Hottest leaks:
- Water resistance
- Bezel-less metal body
- Redesigned antennas
While we were expecting big design changes for the iPhone 7, we've got bad news for Apple fans: it might be very similar outside of a few tweaks here and there.
We could get a new color option though, with rumors suggesting Apple will add a 'Space Black' shade to the mix, likely similar to the black Apple Watch option. That's not been seen on an iPhone since 2012's iPhone 5.
Another recent rumor pushed a blue variant too, with a Chinese network putting out a rather obvious hint about the new iPhone showing a blue option in the mix - but then again, the dual camera on the image is nothing like we've seen before, so it's a slightly spurious choice.
Still, hints of a blue shade have popped up again, with JBL suggesting that blue is going to be a very important color this year. Plus some sources have also claimed Space Gray will be dropped for a new Piano Black color.
You can see the likely shape of the new iPhone in the image below, which could beour clearest look yet at the phone, showing off the redesigned antenna bands and a single lens snapper. Another similar shot has appeared on nowhereelse.fr.
Or for a less clear but more mobile look at the phone there's even now been a leaked video. It doesn't show anything new, but it's our first look at the iPhone 7 in motion.
The latest video we've seen of the 'iPhone 7' really appears to be of the iPhone 7 Plus / Pro, with the dual camera, lack of headphone port, dual speakers and smart connector on the bottom.
However, the chassis shape is clearer from the video - well, if it can be believed. From Unbox Therapy, it's from Chinese wireless headphones manufacturer Besound, and it's a mockup 'based on plans' - so this wasn't an official chassis from Apple.
It looks very legitimate - but it could have just been a very good modeller - you decide:
Slimmer model
The iPhone 7 is said to be slimmer than the 7.1mm-thick iPhone 6S; Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities reckons it'll drop to between 6mm and 6.5mm. That sounds unnecessarily slim to us, especially as it could cause the battery life to take a hit, but the Samsung Galaxy S6 is only marginally thicker at 6.8mm, so it's possible.
If TSMC makes the chips, as has been rumored, then some space could be saved, which might help Apple slim it down without making sacrifices in other areas. Another report claims Apple will use fan-out technology to save space and reduce the thickness of the iPhone 7.
A waterproof phone?
The iPhone 7 could be built to last too, as according to Mac Otakara there are a number of iPhone prototypes with "ruggedized" features, which could mean a water and dust-resistant phone is on the way.
In fact, that's exactly what we'll get according to a supply chain source. Apple screen supplier Japan Display has come up with a new technology called "Pixel Eyes", that is now in its second generation and makes it easier to use the screen while you have wet fingers. We've also now seen an Apple patent for waterproof speakers.
However, another report has suggested Apple will opt for a slimmer phone rather than a waterproof iPhone 7. Apple will likely get a new LCD display technology as well, which could allow the iPhone 7 to be 1mm thinner than before. That's backed up by another report stating it will be 'splashproof' rather than full IP68 rated, like theSamsung Galaxy Note 7.
No more camera bump or antenna bands
A design tweak rumor which will likely please many is that Apple will ditch the camera bump which has been present since the iPhone 6/6 Plus - with the firm going for a sleeker finish on the iPhone 7.
As well as being totally flat the back could also be uninterrupted, as the same report points towards the removal of the antenna bands.
That tallies with an image leak picked up by Nowhereelse.fr, which claims its snapshot shows the iPhone 7 to have no antenna bands and a larger camera.
The lack of antenna bands seems very likely, as other leak shows, a chassis design with a smart new way to hide the antennas - so a smooth back is very likely incoming.
Same shape as the 6S?
The overall size and shape of the iPhone 7 may not change much, as a sketch complete with dimensions shows it as being the same length and width as the iPhone 6S, as well as having similarly curved corners. That would be surprising for a new numbered model though and the sketch could easily be a fake.
Two separate leaked of the back panel have emerged to help corroborate these claims. The first is on MobiPicker, showing the phone in gold with a rounded design, antenna lines at the top and bottom and a new camera module, which could be a laser autofocus. It corroborates the reported changes, but has more than a whiff of fakery around it.
The newer image shows off the alleged back of the iPhone 7 itself. It looks like it could have been manipulated, but with most design rumors lining up it could still be close to the truth.
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