Alleged 'iPhone 7' shell photos show relocated antenna bands, unexpected cutout
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Photos published on Monday show what is purported to be a rear shell for Apple's upcoming "iPhone 7," largely matching recent schematics leaks except for one addition.
Between the lens aperture and the camera flash are two small holes, rather than the single hole found on the iPhone 6 or 6s, noted LetemSvetemApplem, which discovered the photos through Chinese blogging site Weibo. The authenticity of the images can't be confirmed, and they conflict with recent schematics, which show only one hole in between as usual.
If the shell is genuine, one of the holes is presumably for the rear microphone, but it's not clear what the second would be for. One possibility is enabling stereo recording, but if so it's not clear why one of the holes would be smaller than the other.
Other changes from the iPhone 6s are expected however, namely the relocation of antenna bands to the top and bottom of the device. Some people have complained that the bands on the iPhone 6 and 6s — which wrap directly around the back — are garish and interrupt the design.
There doesn't appear to be any sign of a Smart Connector, although recent rumors have suggested that only the "7 Plus" might get such technology, possibly in tandem with a dual-lens camera and/or 3 gigabytes of RAM.
Apple is expected to ship new iPhones later this year, most likely in its standard September launch window.
Wesley Hilliard
Mike Wuerthele and Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Bon Adamson
Andrew Orr
Malcolm Owen
47 Comments
Omfg pictures of a possibly rumored maybe real potential iPhone 7!! Squee!!!!
"There doesn't appear to be any sign of a Smart Connector" Just a thought, but could Apple be planning an iPhone Pro line? We've got Macbooks and Macbook Pros. We have Macs and Mac Pros. We now have iPads and iPad Pros. Why not have some more expensive, more fully featured iPhone Pros?