Rumors

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.

Apple's next move when it comes to wearables has been a hot topic lately. The Apple Watch launched almost a year ago, and most recently received new nylon bands and a price cut to $299. Last week analyst Brian White made waves by claiming the Apple Watch 2 would be revealed at WWDC in June, sporting a 20-40 percent thinner case design. A new research note from KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo throws cold water on this idea.

The iPhone 7 rumors are heating up ahead of Apple's expected iPhone SE keynote on March 21st. Earlier today, the Chinese site My Drivers reported that Apple is planning to release three iPhone 7 models in the fall. The next-generation refresh will include an iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 Pro, to fit in with Apple's rumored 9.7-inch iPad Pro and already released 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Apple is expected to announce both the iPhone SE, next-generation 9.7-inch iPad and new Apple Watch bands later this month.

The iPhone 7 will be 1mm thinner than its predecessor the iPhone 6s, according to Macotakara. The iPhone 6s is 7.1mm thin, which means if Macotakara is correct, the iPhone 7 will be 6.1mm. This prediction makes sense since the current iPod touch model is also 6.1mm.