iPhone 7 UK release date, specs & new features rumours: Force Touch to make new iPhone thicker than iPhone 6

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus arrived in September, but now that we're well into 2015 it's no surprise that chatter about what's next for Apple's smartphone is getting louder and clearer. Here's everything we know about the iPhone 7 release date, specs, new features and design rumours and bring you the latest iPhone 7 speculation to help you
stay up-to-date with the latest iPhone 7 news, rumours and leaks. When is the iPhone 7 coming out? Updated 18/6/15.

iPhone 7 rumours: Isn't it going to be the iPhone 6S?

Some of you might be thinking, isn't it going to be called the iPhone 6S next? After all, Apple has released an iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S and now iPhone 6 (alongside the iPhone 6 Plus). So if history repeats itself, it's likely that the next iPhone will be called the iPhone 6S rather than the iPhone 7. See also: iPhone 5S vs iPhone 6 comparison

However, Apple has surprised us somewhat over the past two years, releasing an iPhone 5Calongside the iPhone 5S in 2013, and an iPhone 6 Plus alongside the iPhone 6 in 2014. We're wondering whether Apple might soon decide to ditch the numbers completely and stick with iPhone, iPhone Plus and iPhone C, perhaps. Or, simply ditch the 'S' models and launch an iPhone 7.

In fact, reports that emerged in mid April suggest that the next iPhone is going to be so significantly different to and better than the iPhone 6 that Apple has decided the iPhone 6S name doesn't fit, and instead will launch an iPhone 7 this autumn.

No one knows for sure yet though, so you'll see both terms used within this article, although primarily iPhone 7 to keep things simple.

Latest iPhone 7 rumours: Force Touch display to make iPhone 7 thicker

Those aforementioned reports come from well-respected and previously accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from KGI Securities, who says that the biggest difference between Apple's iPhone 6 and the next iPhone is that it'll have a Force Touch display. Apple currently uses Force Touch in the Apple Watch and its new MacBook, but Kuo thinks it'll use different technology that, instead of actually measuring the pressure that you put on the screen to determine whether you're tapping or pressing, will detect the contact area of your finger to make the distinction.

After some reports that suggested Force Touch would only come to the display of the larger iPhone this year, new claims from Economic Daily News say that both will get the technology after all. That's according to a supply chain source, who says that Apple had originally planned to limit Force Touch to the 5.5in iPhone before settling on the final decision to implement it in both.

These reports have led to the creation of an iPhone concept showing what Force Touch could look like.

But the very latest reports, which emerged in mid June, have suggested that the new iPhone will need to be slightly redesigned to accomodate the Force Touch display. Apparently, the new iPhone 7 will be made with a stronger aluminium 7000 and will be 0.15mm longer and 0.2mm thicker in order to bring Force Touch technology to the device.

iPhone 7 release date rumours: When is the new iPhone 7 coming out?

Looking back over the recent history of Apple's iPhone launches, it's likely that the iPhone 7 will be unveiled at a special event in September 2015. It will be a little while until invites are sent out, though.

Our current prediction is 8 September. Why? Well, it's a complete guess, but it's an informed one. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were unveiled on 9 September, iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S were unveiled on 10 September, and iPhone 5 was on 12 September. Apple goes for Tuesday or Wednesday launches (more often Tuesdays) so Tuesday 8 September 2015 is our iPhone 7 prediction.

However, the most recent rumours to hit the web suggest that the iPhone 7 could actually arrive in August, a few weeks earlier than expected. The Economic Daily News has cited supply-chain sources who allegedly say that the iPhone 7 is in production already, and will launch a month earlier than we first thought.

We're taking this rumour with a pinch of salt for now, unless any further evidence emerges. And of course, if it does we'll update you right here.

The unveiling of iOS 9 and the launch of the developer preview on 8 June at WWDC 2015offered some further clues to the features we can expect in the next iPhone model, which you can read about in the camera section below.

iPhone 7 rumours: Design

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus represent a big design change from their predecessor, the iPhone 5S, so it's likely that Apple won't make such significant design changes to the next generation of iPhone. Traditionally, with Apple's 'S' models, the design is almost identical to the previous iPhone's design.

So, we can expect the iPhone 7 to have a 4.7in screen (and the iPhone 7 Plus should Apple decide to launch one to have a 5.5in display), a rounded, aluminium chassis and a very slim profile. It's also likely that it'll be available in Silver, Gold and Slate Grey.

Apple could make the iPhone 7 lighter, though, thanks to the use of the stronger sapphire glass and more durable liquidmetal materials, both of which Apple is believed to be working with. Stronger materials mean Apple could use less metal and glass in the device, making lighter overall.

One design rumour we've been hearing recently is that Apple may decide to introduce a fourth colour option, this one with a rose gold finish like the Apple Watch Edition. Those rumours came from The Wall Street Journal, and designer Martin Hajek quickly came up with realistic concept images to show what a rose gold iPhone 7 might look like.

You'll find more on his website.

Not everyone is convinced that Apple won't change the design of the iPhone 7, though.According to MacX.cn, Apple's next iPhone will have a 5in, OLED display with a 400ppi resolution.

In March, a new patent revealed that Apple is investigating ways to make future iPhones waterproof without needing to compromise on the design. Instead of adding armour to the outside of the iPhone to protect it from water, the method would coat electronic components found inside the iPhone in a protective waterproof material that would prevent them from getting damaged should water find its way in. Clever.

iPhone 7 rumours: Specs & new features

The iPhone 7 will have a faster processor, probably names the A9, joined by an M9 co-processor. It could boast camera improvements (although analysts say it won't), as well as better battery life and new features such as wireless charging.

Interestingly, it's rumoured that Apple will finally up the iPhones RAM complement, with 2GB LPDDR4 memory.

It's believed that Samsung is the main supplier of Apple's A9 processor, and that they're being manufactured using a new 14-nanometer process, helping make them smaller, more efficient and more powerful.

iPhone 7 with sidewall display: Apple's answer to the Galaxy Note Edge?

However, there are some rumours to suggest that the iPhone 7 could have some new design features, though we'd take these rumours with a pinch of salt.

The speculation about a new design stems from an Apple patent that was published in 2015. It describes what Apple calls "sidewall displays," similar to the display found on the Galaxy Note Edge.

Concept by Michael Shanks

The patent hints at a future iPhone with a display that extends onto the sides of the device, providing interactive or touch sensitive portions that give access to slide-to-unlock functionality, music player controls, messaging readout, called ID, system controls and more.

Perhaps Apple will decide to introduce the sidewall display to the iPhone 6 Plus's successor, offering even more screen estate.

While the sidewall display and Touch ID display are both great ideas, what we really want to see is a higher resolution display. The iPhone 6 Plus's display is 401ppi, but that's still not as impressive as many of its rivals, including the Galaxy Note 4 and the LG G3.

One of the biggest things which could happen to the screen is a Force Touch display which is found in the new MacBook's trackpack and the Apple Watch. It would mean the iPhone 7 could distinguish between a tap and a press (not a long press) opening up a world of possibilities.

iPhone 7 rumours: Touch ID display

Another rumour that was sparked by an Apple patent is that the iPhone 7's Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which is usually situated beneath the Home button, could be built-in to the entire display, eliminating the need for a Home button and making room for a larger display without enlarging the overall size of the smartphone. 

iPhone 7 rumours: Camera

One of the biggest areas of improvement for the iPhone 7 could be the camera. Rumours that emerged in November 2014 suggested that the camera will represent the biggest camera jump in the history of the iPhone, with a two-lens system that could capture "DSLR-quality imagery," according to Daring Fireball's John Gruber.

Rumour has it the iPhone 7 camera could be up to 21-megapixels but more likely is a jump to 12Mp, according to Kevin Wang, IHS Technology Research Director in China. But the catch is that the pixels will be smaller which may mean a drop in low light performance.

Those rumours were cemented by sources in the hardware supply chain. A dual-lens camera would allow the iPhone 7 to include optical zoom capabilities and improve low-light photography. 

Clues spotted in iOS 9 also back up the rumours about the improved camera in iPhone 7, which is the first bit of solid evidence we've seen so far. The code hints that future iPhone cameras could have a front-facing camera with 1080p resolution and 240fps slo-mo, as well as panoramic capture and flash. Which might sound a bit over the top but with the selfie-craze continuing to grow it could be a wise move, particularly considering current iPhones have quite poor front-facing cameras compared with rivals.

iPhone 7 rumours: Reversible USB charger

Another rumour circulating the web is that the iPhone 7 will come with a new iPhone charger, with a Lightning connector on one end and a new reversible USB connector on the other end.

In August 2014, a video of a reversible USB charger emerged on YouTube, which you can watch below.

iPhone 7 rumours: Images

As yet, there are no leaked images of the iPhone 7, but we expect that they'll begin appearing soon. For now, though, there are concept images from some of the most popular mock-up designers floating around the web.

Martin Hajek has created some stunning iPhone 7 concept images, as shown below.

Designer Steel Drake has shared images on Behance of what he thinks the iPhone 7, or maybe iPhone 8 will look like. 

We'll continue to update this article as more reports emerge, so check back regularly for the latest information.