Those hoping for a bunch of new features and design updates on the new Apple iPhone 7 may be disappointed. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, this year’s phones may only offer subtle changes from the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. While Apple does make major design changes every two years, the publication reports that this may not be the case this year as the technology that the company is planning to use will take time to implement. Sources told WSJ that the biggest change this year may be the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack, which will make the device thinner, and improve water resistance.
As per the report, the major changes will be made in the 2017 iPhone, which will be the tenth anniversary of the iPhone. These updates may include an edge-to-edge OLED display and the removal of the Home button. The report notes that the TouchID fingerprint sensor would instead be integrated into the display itself.
A couple of months back, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities also predicted that iPhone 7 may not have enough features to excite buyers. He said that while the phone may feature, a redesigned chassis, and refined design elements. Kuo predicts that this may not be enough and the company might see a decline in sales figures for the phone. However, Tim Cook has said that the new iPhone will have features "you didn't know you need."