While we’re still a ways off from the announcement and subsequent release of the iPhone 7, early rumors have suggested that the device will largely feature the same design as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s. This goes against Apple’s general habit of refreshing the design of its flagships every other year, so we’re curious: Would you upgrade to the iPhone 7 if the design was largely the same as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s?
The iPhone 7 is rumored to be a slightly thinner version of the iPhone 6s, but without a headphone port and a few under-the-hood changes. Since the iPhone was unveiled in 2007, Apple has never gone more than two release cycles without radically changing the device’s design.
Earlier today, we saw an iPhone 7 case mockup be shared that showed a thinner design with no headphone port, as rumors have suggested. While some earlier rumors suggested that the casing material used would change, those rumors have been contradicted recently.
The latest iPhone 7 rumor suggested that the device would feature a thinner iPhone 6-like design with a flush camera on the back, stereo speakers, and a thinner Lightning port. Earlier this year, we asked readers what rumored iPhone 7 feature excited them the most, and the possibility of a waterproof/dustproof design. More recent rumors, however, have suggested that Apple does not plan to include that capability with the iPhone 7.
One feature that could sway people to upgrade, however, is the rumored twin-camera system. A twin-camera system could allow for a variety of new features, including optic zoom. By fitting two separate camera modules behind the lens, and creating a single lens with both standard and telephoto sections, you’d be able to switch between two different focal lengths. It could also be possible to potentially be recording video with one of the cameras while the other takes still images.
Personally, I think it’s an incredibly risky move for Apple to keep the design of the iPhone 7 largely the same as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s. The general public is swayed to upgrade largely by the design of a phone, and for Apple to go into year three with the same design, people might be tempted to look towards other options.
I also don’t necessarily agree with Apple’s mantra that thinner is always better, and I know I’m not alone in that opinion either. I would much rather see Apple keep the same overall form factor and beef up the battery. When Apple introduces a new iPhone, it often touts that it offers the “same great battery life” as the iPhone before it, even though one of the biggest complaints people have with the iPhone is its battery life (with perhaps the exception of the Plus on a good day).
Another thing to note is that Apple is also expected to introduce the iPhone SE this year with a design the same as the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s (for which we’ve already seen cases pop up). This means that Apple will release three new phones (the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone SE), all with designs that we’ve seen before. With analysts worried about “peak iPhone,” this is a risky move on the company’s part.
While 2017 looks like it could be a potentially big year for iPhone updates with rumors of a switch to OLED displays and a new 5.8-inch variant, 2016 looks as if it could be rather dull. One important thing to keep in mind, is that we’re going purely on rumors right now. It could be that Apple has a crazy, huge, amazing redesign in store for us with the iPhone 7. As of right now, though, it doesn’t look that way. So let us know in the poll above and in the comments below if your inclination to upgrade this year will be affected by a stale design.
