Roger Fingas
Though sharing a 4.7-inch LCD, Apple's "iPhone 7s" will be slightly larger than the iPhone 7 in all respects, according to alleged design schematics, one exception being a thinner lens bump on the back.
The "7s" will be 138.44 millimeters tall, 67.27 millimeters wide, and 7.21 millimeters thick, Giga.de claimed on Tuesday, saying the schematics were obtained from casemaker Miqodo, which in turn got them from a source "close" to Apple assembly partner Foxconn. Such leaks to casemakers are relatively common, since some vendors are willing to pay to get a jump on the competition.
The iPhone 7, by contrast, measures about 138.3 by 67.1 by 7.1, also roughly the same size as the iPhone 6s.
The reason for the increase is unknown, but it's speculated that it could be related to the new phone's reported glass back, needed to support wireless charging.
The lens bump will shrink from 8.18 millimeters to 7.92, Giga.de said. The site noted that if Apple does go with a glass back, the bump will likely be surrounded by a metal ring, since there's no aluminum to raise into a natural contour.
No dimensions for the rumored "iPhone 7s Plus" and "iPhone 8" were mentioned. recent design dummies — did identify the "8" as 137.54 millimeters tall and 67.54 millimeters wide, its shorter height made possible by an edge-to-edge OLED screen.
All three new phones will likely be revealed at a press event next month, shipping shortly thereafter. The "8" may only be available in extremely limited quantities though, owing to production delays.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
Andrew Orr
21 Comments
Let us keep things in perspective. Although the new phone is alleged to be larger, we need to keep in mind that .1mm is about the thickness of a piece of notebook paper.
No one else seems to have said this, but isn't there an obvious reason for the larger power button - that it will perform the functions of the home button? Without a physical one on the front, it will be harder to access the virtual one when apps are in full screen mode. The large powerbutton wil allow any sized hand (left or right handed) to press or dounble press the power button. Sleep could be a longer press - and poet a long press as now. Personally I think it would actually improve on the current front home button for one handed use
In the exhibit, the copper iPhone should have been assigned to 2017 instead of 2016. Grey should be 2016. The present color scheme is momentarily distracting. Design counts.