A new report today adds to a recent note from KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claiming an upcoming next-gen iPhone could include stronger aluminum adopted from the Apple Watch and potentially increase slightly in size to accommodate new components. Macotakara details the report noting that the next iPhone would be approximately 0.15mm longer and 0.2mm thicker, which isn’t much, but that could offer hints at what other changes Apple will make in the process…
The increase in thickness is likely to accommodate the addition of Force Touch, the new pressure sensitive touchscereen tech that makes Apple Watch’s display clickable. We reported last month that iOS 9 showed hints at Apple’s plans for bringing the tech to a next-generation iPhone and possibly using it to enhance iMessage, keyboard, and Apple Pay.
Although, a thicker iPhone could hint at other possibilities for the design of the new iPhones. While it will only be a slight increase according to today’s report, with a slimmer, upgraded camera module, Apple (combined with an upgraded camera) could potentially get rid of the unsightly camera bump that many complained about when the current iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were introduced. An earlier report from KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo detailed some of the expected spec bumps and Rose Gold color option for the new iPhone, including an upgraded camera likely increasing to 12MP alongside upgraded RAM and other new components.
A slightly thicker iPhone combined with smaller, more efficient internals and better battery chemistry could also improve the iPhone 6’s battery life. While the iPhone 6 Plus lasts much over a day in typical usage, one of the few complaints about the iPhone 6 is the sacrificing battery for “thinnovation”.
Lastly, the report today claims Apple has plans to bring the 7000 Series aluminum it’s using for Apple Watch to the next-generation of iPhones expected this fall. That’s not an entirely new claim, however, as previous reports have mentioned the possibility of the stronger (bendgate-proof?) aluminum coming to future iPad models as well. Stronger aluminum means less bending.
