V3 reports that the memo was leaked via email to Mobile News. The date certainly seems feasible as Apple normally uses release dates in late September for iPhone launches. The memo adds that preorders will be accepted from 18th September.
Some have suggested that Apple may be jumping straight to the iPhone 7 for its next launch and leaving out the “6S” range because of the technological innovations that it is reportedly building into the new phone.
Although the screen sizes and resolutions are not expected to change, several reports have suggested that the new iPhone will be equipped with Apple’s new “Force Touch” technology used on the Apple Watch and MacBook, making the display receptive to touches of varying pressures. The camera may also be dramatically upped to 20MP from 8MP which would allow the phone to be a stronger competitor against flagship Android phones and Microsoft’s “PureView” Lumia devices.
It will use a new A9 chip with 2GB of RAM and is expected to include 16GB, 64GB and 128GB storage options. Mobile News say that the leaked email from Vodafone only referred to the handset as the “New iPhone”, leading the site to suggest that Apple may be pursuing a number-less naming convention like with the iPad.
With Apple’s developers conference (WWDC) starting next week we can expect to see some official coverage of the new iPhone very soon. Until then, Apple fans continue to speculate on what the new phone may include as Android’s lead in functionality becomes clearer than ever.
Naming aside, the new iPhone could easily distinguish itself from the other big players by including a Force Touch display as rumoured, allowing app developers to use more innovative designs than ever before. With an all-new camera and improved performance, the new iPhone could be exactly what Apple fans have been looking for.
